No-deal would be a ‘catastrophe’ for care sector
NO-DEAL Brexit would be a “catastrophe” for vulnerable people with care home closures and the collapse of domiciliary care companies in North Wales, an industry leader has warned.
Mario Kreft, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said that a number of care homes that are already struggling and on the brink of closure would be tipped over the edge.
He said: “It would have a devastating impact on the most vulnerable people in our society.”
These are the reasons he says the sector would be impacted - highlighting concerns raised in the leaked UK Government documents of Operation Yellowhammer.
Inflation increase due to added costs would put serious pressure on already tight margins in
●
the sector.
EU care workers leaving the country and firms unable to bring new staff in.
New immigration policy would prevent care homes recruiting staff earning less than £36,000.
Mr Kreft said: “We’re heading towards a Brexit perfect storm, and the people who are going to suffer here are the most vulnerable people in Wales.
“It’s clear from the
● ●
leaked documents of Operation Yellowhammer that the UK Government is aware of how dangerous it could be to social care and yet they persist with it. It’s really hard to fathom.
“A number of care homes are on the brink already and have very tight margins because fees are so low.
“A no deal Brexit will push some over the edge.
“What we’re really seeing now is the potential for a major shakeout of the industry. We’re going to see the cost of care going up because the cost of supplies would increase sharply in the event of a no deal Brexit.
“It is a very serious state of affairs because in recent years care homes have been closing already across Wales due to chronic underfunding. We’ve lost thousands of beds in recent years and the projection is to lose many more.”