BBC reports that thousands are at risk of poor home care because of low fees

According to a recent article by Alison Holt, Social Affairs Editor at the BBC, thousands of people who require support at home are at an increased risk of poor care due to low fees paid by the NHS and councils. Research suggests that only one UK public authority in 20 pays enough to fund the minimum wage and other staff costs, which has resulted in some companies struggling to find enough staff to support people with complex needs, while others face going under. The Homecare Association (HA), which represents UK home care providers, states that the financial pressure the councils and trusts are under means they are paying companies less than the work actually costs.

The funding gap is likely to get worse, as data shared with the BBC by directors of council social care shows that a third of local authorities in England expect to make additional cuts to services in the next few months. Victoria Pringle, the registered manager at Welcombe Care in Stratford-upon-Avon, says the fees they receive from public bodies are “really poor”. She says potential staff are choosing higher-paid employment because of the cost-of-living crisis.

It is important to note that social care, which supports people with tasks such as washing, dressing and medication in their own home, is mostly provided by private or not-for-profit companies and funded by public bodies such as local authorities or NHS trusts. The government has stated that the sector is getting more than £8bn of extra funding over two years. However, council bosses say they “can’t perform miracles” on overstretched budgets.

In conclusion, the low fees paid by the NHS and councils have resulted in a funding gap that is likely to get worse, putting thousands of people who require support at home at an increased risk of poor care. The financial pressure the councils and trusts are under means they are paying companies less than the work actually costs, which has resulted in some companies struggling to find enough staff to support people with complex needs, while others face going under. It is important for the government to take action to address this issue and ensure that people who require support at home receive the care they need and deserve.

Planning for care in the future for you or a loved one is not often spoken about but needs be be visited much like financial planning for a pension in retirement. Imagine what care will look like for you if you are not able to choose who provides it and to what level...

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