Calls for proper care home funding after 30 per cent of Shropshire homes report cases of Covid-19
Calls have been made for the Government to properly fund the care sector after after nearly 30 per cent of homes in Shropshire reported cases of Covid-19.
Shropshire Partners in Care, a non-profit organisation that represents the industry said it is expecting additional cost pressures to continue for some time, but did insist Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Councils have been working hard to get funds to homes and domiciliary care providers that need it.
The call comes after Public Health England figures revealed 44 outbreaks have been reported in care homes in the county. In total 32 cases have been recorded within the Shropshire Council patch, with 26.7 per cent of its 120 care homes affected. In the Telford & Wrekin area, 12 cases have been recorded - meaning 30 per cent of its 40 care homes have been affected.
Nicky Jacques, chief officer at Shropshire Partners in Care, insisted long term funding is the greatest challenge to the sector.
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She said: "It's a difficult time. We're on the back of government austerity for a period of years where funding for the care sector has been depleted.
"That hasn't gone away. It's on the government to make sure it is funded properly for the long term future.
"We're expecting the additional cost pressures to continue for some time. Both local authorities have received a second tranche of funding and we welcome that."
Extortionate
Care workers in some parts of the country have been struggling to get their hands on PPE due to government money taking too long to filter down through local councils. But Ms Jacques says that money is making its way down to care providers in Shropshire and steps have been taken to get equipment to people who need it.
Some care workers have found themselves paying extortionate prices to charlatans who have hiked the prices up, with reports of one-use aprons being sold for £2 and face mask that cost 3p to make being priced at £1.49. But Ms Jacques said: "There has been some of that. The best thing to do is to shop around. You can find suppliers who haven't hiked prices up.
"We've been doing daily work to update a suppliers list so care homes and domiciliary care companies can find what they need if they get stuck.
"We've been working with the local authorities and the NHS and have been able to speak up for the care sector and raise the challenges that they are facing.
"We have PPE sharing teams in place. We've been able to come up with local solutions and get the voice of the care sector heard."
She added: "It doesn't stop the challenges. It's scary for staff and it's difficult for them, caring for people. They're doing a great job.
“We’re looking to see what kind of support we can put in place for the mental health of the work force.
Support
“It’s difficult for them, especially in care homes where they are experiencing loss, greater loss than usual. It will have to be a long term offer.”
Shropshire councillor Dean Carroll, cabinet member with responsibilities for adult social care and public health said: "We completely understand the challenges faced by our care provider organisations during this time, and we are doing everything we can to support them.
"Care providers across the county are incurring significant additional costs in relation to the purchasing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), agency staff, funding for staff who are unable to work, and other financial challenges.
"We are delighted to have been able to provide financial support of an additional 10 per cent of their contract value, for three months. These payments totalling £2.4m have already been paid direct to our care provider organisations to help support these ongoing costs. This will be reviewed as we go forward. The additional funding will also allow us to work together to enable the most vulnerable people to continue to be cared for by providers in the community, and to support individuals when they are discharged from hospital.
"Since the outbreak we have, and continue to, work with our care providers to ensure they have the right support and have set up a dedicated task and finish group to oversee this. This includes working closely with Shropshire Partners in Care, to remain in regular contact with all of our providers, with a team of staff carrying out regular welfare calls, as well as making sure all our providers have access to information that they need and get answers to their concerns and questions.
"Shropshire Council along with and Telford & Wrekin Council and our NHS partners have also set up a PPE Helpline and IT system to help with the coordination of PPE equipment for care sector providers such as GPs, Care Homes, Domiciliary Care Providers and Personal Assistants.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the value and vital contribution all our local care providers give, day in day out, even more so during this uncertain time. Without our care workforce, would put unimaginable further pressure on our NHS. We are truly grateful for their support and we cannot thank them enough."
