Demand for Action Over Care Home Closures

SHOCK figures on the number of care and nursing home closures have prompted calls for urgent action to end the crisis in the care of our most vulnerable

Campaigners fear the sector is suffering death by a thousand cuts and needs help

Figures from CSI Market Intelligence reveal that 247 homes closed during 2022 whilst just 123 new ones opened That left the sector with a net loss of 124 homes and according to the report a loss of 230 care beds

The Independent Care Group (ICG) says the care sector is being left to crumble in front of our eyes

ICG Chair Mike Padgham said: “These figures provide the latest evidence that the Government is sitting back and letting the care sector die a death by a thousand cuts This could well be just the tip of the iceberg as the situation worsens every day and more and more homes are lost

“For every care or nursing home that closes its door there is heartache, upset and anxiety for residents who are losing their homes and hard-working care staff losing their jobs

“In homecare too we are seeing the capacity shrink as providers close or hand back contracts that are simply not cost-effective to deliver

As we lose care providers more and more people will be joining the 2 6m people over 50 who Age UK report are living with unmet care needs

The Government surely has a moral responsibility to ensure there is adequate care, including enough publicly-funded beds and homecare to look after our oldest and most vulnerable citizens

The ICG is calling for urgent reform of the care sector, including an immediate cash injection of £7bn extra a year to stabilise the situation

It published its Five Pillars of Social Care Reform document last autumn setting out what it believes are the actions required to save the sector

THE FIVE PILLARS ARE:

Ring fence a percentage of GDP to be spent on providing social care to those who already receive it and the 1 6m who can t get it Create a unified National Care Service, incorporating health and social staff on a par with

Weldmar Hospicecare Selected as Care South’s Chairman’s Fund Beneficiar y in Recognition of Late Team Member

Care South a not-for-profit leading provider of residential and care at home services across the south of England, has selected Weldmar Hospicecare as one of the latest beneficiaries of its Chairman s Fund The Weldmar team cared for Elaine Stockley a Night Care Assistant at Care South’s Maiden Castle House near Dorchester who sadly passed away in June 2022 after battling cancer for a number of years

Weldmar Hospicecare is a charity providing specialist care for adults in Dorset with life limiting illnesses and is recognised for its wonderful care and support Elaine’s family and friends, as well as the Care South team at Maiden Castle House have all continued to raise funds for the charity since Elaine’s passing raising £2 760 by holding a quiz night and walking 26 miles around the Jurassic Coast

Care South s Chief Executive Officer Simon Bird was keen to show the company’s appreciation and support, and to thank Weldmar Hospicecare for the amazing and compassionate care they gave to Elaine and her family when they needed it most, by applying to Care South s Chairman’s 2020 Fund for a donation of £1 000 for the charity Simon was also keen to support the Care South team at Maiden Castle House in their fundraising efforts for a charity that is very close to their hearts

A Full Turnkey Service

The Chairman s 2020 Fund was set up as a way for the charity to show its support and appreciation to not-for-profit individuals and groups who are important to Care South s care homes residents care at home clients and staff

Simon Bird Chief Executive at Care South commented:

“Weldmar Hospicecare remains very close to the hearts of many who worked alongside Elaine for years at Maiden Castle House Elaine was a wonderful member of the team who worked tirelessly at the home and was a real inspiration The Weldmar Hospicecare team are all truly wonderful and we are really pleased to be able to support such an amazing charity that did so much for Elaine and for everyone they support day-in day-out through some very difficult times ”

April Whitehead Major Gifts and Partnerships Lead at Weldmar Hospicecare commented:

“We are really thankful for Care South’s generous support through the Chairman s Fund which will give comfort dignity and relief to our patients We are extremely proud to support our Dorset community and help anyone that needs us when facing one of life s most difficult journeys We are very grateful for the support which will help us to continue our vital services providing bespoke and high quality end of life care ”