Care sector warning over staff shortages
Berkshire body tells health chiefs it is facing ‘unprecedented’ difficulties
An industry body based in Berkshire has written a damning letter to health chiefs highlighting ‘unprecedented’ difficulties within the social care sector.
The Berkshire Care Association (BCA), the representative body for all Care Quality Commission providers in the county, says the industry is suffering ‘chronic staff shortages’ and is having to refuse care contracts.
It has called for action to be taken to improve the living wage of carers and has asked for staff to not be ‘drowned in unnecessary paperwork’.
Peter Lomax, executive chair of the BCA, said: “The pressures on our sector are real, and if left unaddressed, will increase – resulting in the NHS, local authorities and families struggling to find residential care or support.
“As the world opens, we are still coming to terms with the challenges of the pandemic, particularly the restrictions on visiting, wearing PPE, the seemingly weekly changes in guidance and overwhelming intrusion from external regulators.”
Mr Lomax said staff shortages were being caused by sickness, enforced isolation and ‘burnout’.
“Providers are having to balance capacity with available staff and are therefore unable to accept or admit new residents because of chronic staff shortages,” Mr Lomax added.
Two care sector workers, who spoke to the Advertiser and wished to remain anonymous, said they have not seen the social care situation as bad as this in their careers.
“I feel like care homes have become prisons for older people,” one said.
“It feels like you are in a mosh pit at the front of a concert and you are getting crushed.”
They added: “I have been around in the sector for 30 odd years and have not seen it as bad.
“It is a really rewarding job but it is physically and mentally demanding – and people do not want to do it because they hear all the negativity.”
As well as calling for more funding and better pay for staff, the workers also urged the industry to be more sector-led.
“Get us to run our own sector because we know the reality,” one said. “Pay our staff honestly for the contributions they make.”
A better image to entice younger people into joining was also needed, they added.
Petrol panic buying has had an impact on the lives of social care workers, with queues at fuel stations across the area.
“I have known carers travelling around at midnight trying to find a garage to try and get to work,” one worker said. “They are so committed to their clients.”
A Department for Health spokesman said: “The adult social care workforce will always have our deepest gratitude.
“We are providing an unprecedented investment of £500million across three years to deliver new qualifications, progression pathways and support and continue to work closely with local authorities and providers to ensure there will always be enough staff with the right skills.”
The Royal Borough and East Berkshire Clinical Commissioning Group had not responded to a request for comment.