Care homes facing staffing crisis

CARE homes across Scotland are facing a bleak future with many not expected to make it through the winter as a staffing crisis hits, industry chiefs have warned.

Umbrella group Scottish Care said a survey found 90 per cent of providers reported recruitment and retention problems.

Renaissance Care, which employs 1,200 staff in its 16 homes, said it was looking at partially closing some residences as it struggles to fill 80 vacancies.

Executive chairman Robert Kilgour said: ‘We have been looking at contingency plans, will we have to close a wing here or a floor there if we don’t get the admissions, we have to think about these things. It is a worrying time for staff retention and recruitment.’

A spokesman for Scottish Care said: ‘The current workforce crisis is the worst in recent years. Many providers of care in home and nursing homes will struggle to keep going through the autumn and winter without urgent action.’

Scottish Conservative social care spokesman Craig Hoy said: ‘Fears of care homes being closed are devastating for residents and their families. Care facilities need the full support of SNP Ministers.’

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: ‘We recently published a consultation on the proposed National Care Service, which will improve standards, ensure enhanced pay and conditions for workers and provide better support for unpaid carers.

‘We will also be running a national marketing campaign to attract more people. We have also allocated £48million to enable employers to provide an uplift to the hourly rate of pay for staff offering direct care within adult social care.’