The Local Government Association (LGA) and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) have today advised councils in relation to the funding of care providers in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The National Care Forum, have responded with dismay and disbelief to this statement.

Ms Vic Rayner their Executive Director says:

“The provision of safe and effective care for communities is an essential part of the government response to Covid-19. This statement from local government completely underestimates the very real and current pressures that care providers are under. It is woefully inadequate and provides little comfort for those providers who are working night and day to support the most vulnerable members of our communities. Care providers need the support of local government to cover the very significant additional challenges and escalating costs of workforce, PPE and supporting the discharge of vulnerable people from hospital into care homes and the wider community.”

Ms Rayner continues:

“The Chancellor and Health and Social Care Minister have made it clear that the financial support is available across all sectors to deal with the real costs of providing services within this pandemic. Care provider organisations are uniquely placed to support an integrated approach across health and care – yet whilst all eyes are on the essential development of additional acute hospital provision – local government run the risk of pushing care providers into substantial failure and collapse by not stepping up to the mark at this time of national need. We appeal to them to work responsibly with the care sector, and ensure that together we move forward from this inadequate response to one which fully addresses the real costs of care delivery.“

ENDS

Editor’s notes:

• The National Care Forum (NCF) represents the interests of not-for-profit health and social care providers in the United Kingdom. The NCF has been promoting quality care through the not-for-profit care sector for over 25 years and is a leading voice in the sector.
• The NCF is governed by our Board of Directors and assisted by the NCF staff team, headed by our Executive Director, Ms Vic Rayner. NCF is dedicated to representing members, having their voices heard by the decision-makers. We ensure member interests are represented at all levels and are in constant contact with government departments, politicians and the media to ensure their message gets across. Together we have a stronger voice!
• COVID-19 is placing an intensive demand on the care workforce which needs to be supported with adequate funding, access to essential supplies, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), and training of the workforce to enable care providers to do their part in managing this virus amongst the most vulnerable people in the UK.
• The LGA recommendation of a 5% uplift to cover the increase in National Living Wage (NLW) is insufficient to cover the true rise of 6.25% which providers are expected to cover. Furthermore, the proposed 10% increase for additional costs associated with COVID-19 is woefully inadequate to cover the significant costs care providers are incurring as a result of inflated prices in the purchase of PPE supplies and related workforce cost increases, from staff absence and sick pay.
• LGA’s failure to recognise the very real increases in operating costs as a result of COVID-19 risks a substantial failure of service continuity and collapse of care providers.
• Evidence gathered from providers shows that the levels of increase in operating costs across care providers, both home care and care homes, is much greater than 10% of their current operating cost base.
• We strongly ask local government leaders and the government to increase the funding available to the care sector to maintain services and keep people safe during this pandemic.
• More information is available on the National Care Forum at nationalcareforum.org.uk. @NCFCareForum @vicrayner @NCF_Liz
• Media contact: Edna Petzen petzen@nationalcareforum.org.uk 07397 158596