Issue 91 19.01.22
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Staffing crisis means sector in ‘meltdown’ CARE of our oldest and most vulnerable is on the edge of meltdown as the staffing crisis robs them of the help and support they need. The Independent Care Group has called for urgent Government intervention as the sector struggles. Severe staffing shortages and falling incomes are pushing many providers to the brink of survival. At least 49 councils in England are having to ration care for those eligible for support, ADASS has reported. And a National Care Forum survey found that 43 per cent of homes are closing to new admissions and 66 per cent of home care providers are having to refuse new requests. ICG chair Mike Padgham said: “If we could, as a sector, we would declare a state of emergency in social care. “Of the two years we have gone through with the pandemic, this is the worst point in terms of continuing to deliver care. “We have been warning for months that the staffing situation was becoming critical but have yet to receive any proper support. “Now we see evidence that care is being rationed, providers are having to limit what they offer and vulnerable people are suffering. “That is our mothers, fathers,
brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and friends.” The Omicron variant of Covid-19 and the rising staff absences it is causing, has exacerbated an already critical shortage of care staff. At the same time, care homes with Covid-19 outbreaks cannot take new admissions until 28 days after their last positive test. This means that homes are suffering severe financial hardship through a drop in income. “This double-whammy is putting the whole delivery of social care at risk,” Mike added. The Association of Directors of Social Services said, following a survey, that half the councils that responded were taking difficult decisions over who gets care and who misses out. “Some 1.5m people are already not getting the care they need at all,” added Mike. “Now we are hearing that even those that get care are having it rationed because there simply isn’t enough care to go round. “The President of ADASS, Stephen Chandler has described the current situation as ‘lockdown by another name’ and that is a scandal. “How long is the Government going to sit around, wringing its hands and allowing this neglect to go on?”
Care home’s prestigious accreditation
A care home operator is spreading joy across its dementia communities with the introduction of new HUG companions in time for National Hugging Day on Friday. New Care is one of the first groups in the UK to introduce HUGs; innovative soft comforters that are designed to be cuddled and bring respite to those living with advanced dementia. With weighted limbs and a soft body that contains a simulated beating heart and music player that can be programmed with a playlist of the resident’s favourite tunes, HUGs can reduce anxiety and agitation, improve quality of life and enhance social interaction, providing many benefits for those living with dementia. Resident Ann Cain is pictured with the HUG companion.
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A HIGH Wycombe care home for veterans and their partners has been accredited with an ‘excellent’ rating of The Butterfly Approach, after creating an exemplary dementia care culture where people can thrive. Royal Star & Garter’s High Wycombe care home recently received the distinguished accreditation from care and culture consultancy Meaningful Care Matters for the implementation of its personcentred care model. Manager Reggie Ballos said: “I’m lucky to have such a hard-working, caring and talented team who do their best for our residents every single day. The excellent rating of The Butterfly Approach accreditation from Meaningful Care Matters is testament to the wonderful work they do.” The Butterfly Approach has a meticulous focus on creating a person-centred care culture where people are ‘free to be’. The model values emotional intelligence, a relationship-based culture, and the core belief that everyone has a unique story that has meaning and matters. It is about putting the focus back on people and their emotions by engaging in the reality of their lived experience in the ‘here and now’. The newest of three homes run by Royal Star & Garter, the 74-room Buckinghamshire Home opened in April 2019, offering nursing care, therapeutic care, and specialist dementia care to military veterans and their partners.