August 2015
incorporating
no.230 • £4.75
The Number One magazine for the care sector
Homes could close due to ‘daft’ rules
By Dominic Musgrave
A NUMBER of nursing homes in Wales could be forced to close because of new UK Government rules, a social care chief has warned. The controversial legislation will force non-European workers to return home if they are not earning at least £35,000 after six years – and that will include well-qualified nurses working in social care. According to Care Forum Wales, the body that represents the independent social care sector in the country, it will lead to the loss of nursing home beds at a time when they are needed more than ever, and could force some homes to close completely because of a shortage of trained staff. Chair, Mario Kreft MBE, said: “Essentially, the Government will end up getting rid of well-qualified staff doing a good job and then replacing them with economic migrants without qualifications. “This could very well lead to nursing homes being closed because of a shortage of qualified nurses. “It could also lead to the sector having to pay higher fees for agency nurses, and will almost certainly mean some care providers will have
to stop offering nursing care. “This is utter madness. This is the daftest policy I have heard of in a long time.” According to Mary Wimbury, senior policy advisor at Care Forum Wales, the new Home Office rules could push the Welsh care sector, which is already struggling to recruit enough nurses, “over the edge”. The RCN predicts the rules will "cause chaos" for the health service, waste money spent on recruitment and affect more than 3,300 NHS nurses by 2017. Mary, who estimates the number of nurses affected runs into hundreds who care for thousands of patients,added: “The new rules will have a disastrous effect on the care sector in Wales, which employs many nurses from non-European countries, few of whom will be earning anything like the £35,000 threshold. “The actual figure of those involved runs into hundreds of nurses who in turn care for many thousands of patients across Wales. “In short, it will mean that there won’t be enough nurses to go round.” The Home Office has said the rules will help reduce demand for migrant labour.
Royal visit celebrates charity’s 150 years
Residents at a care home in Tunbridge Wells were recognised and honoured for their contributions to HM Armed Forces. Ten residents at Rusthall Lodge, a ‘notfor-profit’ stand-alone home, received HM Armed Forces enamelled pin badges at a ‘Home Front’ themed event. In the presence of members of the Royal British Legion, RAFA, T.S. Brilliant Corps of Bugles and Drums, the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells, their families and other invited guests, the event commemorated and recognised the valuable contribution made by the residents in serving their country. Tthe event culminated with a fly-past by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Dakota from 233 Squadron. Margaret Van den Bergh is pictured with her pin badge.
NATIONAL maritime charity the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society has celebrated 150 years of providing care to former mariners with a visit from its royal patron. Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal toured the newly refurbished facilities, meeting staff, volunteers and residents before presenting the charity with a new Royal Charter. This essential document approved by HM The Queen sets out the original objectives and responsibilities of the Society, but in more modern language and style. It now hangs proudly in the nursing care home’s lobby lounge. The charity also celebrated the launch of a book to commemorate its 150th anniversary, entitled Home from Sea. The book charts the Society’s history and explores the extraordinary lives of its former seafaring community. The first copy was presented by the Chairman of the Society, Captain Duncan Glass, to HRH the Princess Royal before her departure.