Hospitality staff could prop up social care as it hits ‘breaking point’

Scarborough care home owner Mike Padgham, who is chairman of the Independent Care Group, told The Yorkshire Post that the care sector stands “ready and willing” to support the NHS during its “time of crisis”, but warned that the urgent reform that is needed in the sector as it faced being forgotten about by the Government.

Mr Padgham, whose company Saint Cecilia's Care Services operates three care businesses in Scarborough and one in Pickering, said his homes are taking all the precautions they can to stop the spread of the virus, including banning all “non-essential” visiting, except in instances involving end of life visits.

But its biggest issue, he says, is staffing. The solution, he believes, is “thinking outside of the box”.

“Even before this, there were 100,000 social care vacancies in England, and if the Government is right about a 20 per cent reduction in the workforce, we will struggle,” he said. “What we are trying to do is seek that community spirit. While we have banned non-essential visits, there may become a stage when we are to rely on volunteers or family members to help.

“If pubs and restaurants have to close, could those staff help in social care?

“The rules will need to go out of the window so we can provide critical services.”

He has also called for social care staff to be given the same priorities as NHS staff when it comes to the allocation of protective equipment, and said that the crisis proved “now more than ever” how crucial the social care sector is.

Mr Padgham said: “It is not yet the time to point the finger of blame but I have been talking for 20 or 30 years about the importance of the social care sector to the NHS, but despite my protestations, we are no better off.

“Now, at a time when we need social care more than ever, it is under even more pressure. It was under pressure before covid-19, but now it’s at breaking point.

“If there can be one positive to come out of this it is that the Government will take social care more seriously. We need urgent reform, but we fear that we could be forgotten about by the Government as the needs of other businesses come to the fore.”

Meanwhile, the home care sector has urged the Government for urgent financial help as companies that help older and vulnerable people in their homes are struggling to cope and could face bankruptcy as careworkers are forced to stay off work during the pandemic.

The UK Home Care Association, which represents more than 2,000 home care providers, said it was “desperately worried” about the ability to pay careworkers who are sick or self-isolating while also remaining solvent.

Policy director Colin Angel said: “Councils and the NHS only pay for care delivered. They will not pay for careworkers who are prevented from working. People who buy their own homecare will not be able to bear the additional cost of staff absence.

“The homecare sector needs urgent financial support from national and local Government to look after our essential workforce, maintain cashflow and help keep people out of hospital.”