Reward those who care for us in old age

AS an octogenarian, the care industry is of great interest to me – just in case, you understand.

Government has made all sorts of promises, including the investment of large chunks of taxpayers’ money.

Sadly, little has actually happened.

The deputy PM, Dominic Raab, one of the least effective ministers in Boris’s Cabinet, has said the industry is not yet ready to spend money! Such nonsense does not bring any credibility to Government.

Demand for care will increase in the years to come. It is therefore essential Government gets a real grip on the situation and implements action.

For a start, the industry is not properly supported. Councils cannot afford to pay a fair price for the services provided due to Government underfunding.

Care homes are closing down as a result, and bed-blocking in hospitals increases.

Workers in the industry have no clear career structure and by comparison with other industries are not properly rewarded. Yet there are jobs that are here for life.

What is required is an industry structure that will ensure quality targets are achieved and that care home owners are limited to a given number of beds – this being necessary to avoid vast organisations being created with remote management.

Workers in the industry should be properly rewarded for degrees of responsibility and specialist care, and councils should ring-fence funds.

Most residents in care homes have spent a lifetime paying their taxes.

Government should remember that people in care homes also have votes.

It is essential therefore that instead of talk about what they intend to do, Government should make sure that action is actually happening and that proper funding is put in place to ensure that firstly, workers in the industry are accorded a fair return, and secondly that those needing quality care, actually get it.

Surely a challenge that Government must respond to.