Alarm as number of care homes falls by 735
THE number of care homes in England has fallen by more than 700 over two years, Government figures reveal.
Campaigners described the statistics as ‘extremely worrying’, with potentially ‘disastrous’ implications for the elderly.
The figures released by ministers come after a financial analysis showed 148 care home businesses became insolvent in the last financial year – nearly double the number in the previous year.
The figures from care minister Caroline Dinenage show the number of residential care homes fell from 12,191 at the beginning of 2016 to 11,615 this year. Of the 576 homes lost, 453 disappeared last year.
Among nursing homes, 159 were lost over the two years. In total there were 735 fewer care homes by the start of 2018.
Caroline Abrahams, of Age UK, said: ‘The fact that so many care homes have closed or are struggling financially is extremely worrying.
‘Closures can be utterly disastrous for residents, who are often frail and unwell, and this emphasises how important it is that the Government urgently invests more in social care.
‘We are reaping the consequences of
‘Closures can be utterly disastrous’
years of underfunding. Our politicians need to wake up and show leadership.’
The figures from the Department of Health and Social Care show the number of care home places available in England in January was 237,229 and nursing home places 222,416 – overall, slightly more than 2,000 down on two years previously.
Mrs Dinenage said some slack had been taken up by agencies helping people at home, adding: ‘Of those aged 65 and over who need local authority support, 62 per cent are cared for in their own home. The number of home care agencies in England has increased by 55 per cent since 2010.’
The analysis of care home business insolvencies by the accountants Moore Stephens said the 148 recorded in the year to the end of March compared with 81 in the previous financial year. It noted firms were struggling with wage bills and less income from councils.
Lee Causer, of Moore Stephens, said: ‘Without additional income, care homes will not be able to offer the levels of care required while remaining solvent.’