£1m being spent to support Hull’s adult care staff in challenging times
FUNDING USED TO RETAIN VITAL WORKERS
NEARLY £1m is being spent to help retain adult care workers in Hull this winter.
The move is aimed at managing continuing pressures across the health sector caused by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
One of the major challenges during the pandemic has been the ability of hospitals to release beds when people are medically fit to return home.
However, Covid restrictions in care homes for long periods during the pandemic coupled with staff sickness and isolation measures has not only made this more difficult but has also led some care workers to leave the profession.
Small numbers have also recently quit because of the new mandatory requirements to be fully vaccinated as a part of their conditions of employment.
Now Hull City Council is hoping to boost the city’s adult care workforce using funding worth nearly £984,000 which has been allocated to Hull by the Department for Health and Social Care.
Just over half of the funding is being offered to residential providers who employ care staff.
Some of the grant will allow them to pay the wages of staff who have to self-isolate following a positive Covid test.
Another £376,00 is being allocated to cover planned home care work.
Just over 2,600 people are currently employed in the city’s 86 residential care homes while there are around 30 firms providing care to elderly and vulnerable people still living in their own homes.
Some funding is also being set aside to support so-called informal carers who are usually family members.
In addition, the council is using some of the grant to pay registration fees for social workers and occupational therapists as well as launching advertising campaigns to raise the profile of the availability of direct payments and personalised support for vulnerable people.
Speaking at a recent health scrutiny committee, interim director of adult social care Tracy Meyerhoff said: “At this stage it’s too late for recruitment this winter so it’s about retaining staff and not losing any more people to other industries who might be offering higher rates of pay or better terms and conditions.
“It’s about recognising the value of our social care workforce and recognising they too are tired and need to be supported.
“From my point of view, I am truly thankful for the amazing staff we still have retained in social care. I think they do an incredible job.”
It’s about recognising the value of our social care workforce and their need for support
Tracy Meyerhoff