Pandemic exposes big flaws in social care, warns health chief
THE CORONAVIRUS pandemic has exposed major shortcomings in the adult social care system and lessons learnt during the crisis need to shape strategies for dealing with the most vulnerable in society, a senior health director has warned.
Services in North Yorkshire have been transformed since March, with staff working seven days a week and major changes that saw closer working between the NHS and social care staff to free hospital beds and avoid new admissions.
The county’s ageing population has meant that demand for services and demographic trends are five years ahead of the national average and occupancy rates for care services run at 95 per cent.
Speaking exclusively to The Yorkshire Post, North Yorkshire County Council’s director for health and adult services, Richard Webb, said the pandemic had “magnified” long-standing issues in the system.
He highlighted challenges in funding social care and called for a “long-term national direction”
Asa community, we will have to respond differently. Richard Webb, North Yorkshire County Council’s director for health and adult services.
to ease financial pressures. He also said a culture change needs to take place to make social care a sector in which people want to work and are recognised with appropriate pay and conditions.
Mr Webb has worked at the forefront of adult social care in North Yorkshire for more than six years.
He said: “Although there has been progress on a vaccine, that will be some time off, and there may well be a second wave or a really severe winter.
“As a community, we are going to have to start responding differently.”
An increase is expected in ExtraCare schemes – a model which North Yorkshire has embraced in the past decade where older people are supported to live in their own homes, with services like GP surgeries, libraries and respite care close by.
Mr Webb said: “There has got to be a question about where is the right place to support, particularly older and disabled people, who might be very frail, and those who have been living in residential and nursing homes.
“Some places around the country are talking about whether people will be happy to move into 24-hour care in the future, given how quickly the virus spread in some homes – would we want something different?”
Mr Webb said there will be a “redoubling of efforts” in North Yorkshire on prevention of both mental health and physical health issues.
He also stressed that more needs to be done to tackle the disproportionate way in which Covid-19 has impacted on ethnic minority communities and those living amid deprivation and low incomes.
Mr Webb added: “The Government has talked about having multi-party talks on the future of social care, and that’s welcome.
“But it’s not just about the cost of care, but also whether there is enough care out there and if it is good enough and of the right quality.”