Scottish Care calls for urgent Government intervention to protect care homes

 

Each year Scottish Care as the representative body of providers of care homes for older people is involved in discussions with Cosla and representatives of the new Integrated Health and Social Care Boards (IJBs) to set the annual fees for nursing and residential care in Scotland.

This year these discussions have reached a particularly challenging position and are at the stage of virtual collapse. The offer made by Cosla and the IJBs is limited by the funds made available to them by Scottish Government and the impact of a reduced Local Government Settlement.

Scottish Care believes that it will be impossible for its membership, which includes several hundred family run care homes and many care charities, to accept what is in effect the offer of a 1% increase, without putting their homes at very real risk of closure.

Scottish Care has argued for some time that there is a chronic underfunding of the care home sector in Scotland which endangers the delivery of quality care and support to our older population. We believe that this is essentially about the dignity, value and worth of our older population. Failure to adequately fund their care needs speaks volumes about what priority we give to older people and demonstrates that inherent ageism exists in our society, particularly in our approach to social care provision.
Dr Donald Macaskill, the Chief Executive of Scottish Care stated today:

“It is with very deep regret that we have decided to make public the virtual breakdown of our discussions with Scottish Government and others. We believe that it is no longer acceptable for us to remain silent about the lack of investment which the Government is prepared to make in the care home sector in Scotland. Despite new monies being allocated in England following last week’s budget there is no indication that Scottish Government will seek to benefit social care in Scotland.”

He continued:

“In recent months providers have been faced with substantial increases in the cost of fuel, food and other commodities, averaging around 8.5%. A 1% increase will simply not enable care homes to stay in business. Together with that many nursing homes are finding it impossible to recruit nurses. We have a 1 in 4 vacancy level and to meet gaps care homes are having to pay as much as £800 a night to find a nurse.”

Dr Macaskill highlighted that:

“I recognise that we live in hard times faced as we all are with austerity and public sector cuts. But at present a nursing home is allocated only £3.85 per hour for the 24/7 nursing care of thousands of our vulnerable older people, the majority of whom are in a palliative or end of life context. For me this isn’t so much about finance but about the price we are prepared to pay for preserving the dignity of our older Scots and enabling them to exercise choice and control over their options for high quality care provision.”

 

Spiritual care of people living with dementia in care homes

– survey still open

Your opportunity to take part

We are getting a good response to the survey, and would encourage care home managers to complete it if you haven’t yet had the chance. Go to https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/XYJQ2CP

New research

The research, commissioned by the Life Changes Trust, is being undertaken by a consortium of four organisations (Faith in Older People, Aberdeen University, Mowat Research, and Simon Jaquet Consultancy Services Ltd) into spiritual care in care homes in Scotland. The research aims to identify the range of approaches to spiritual care practice in care homes with people living with dementia, and to explore how to best build on this in the future. It will, above all, be a positive exercise – looking for examples (large and small) of the practical ways in which spiritual care is carried out in care homes.

Getting involved

The link to the online survey (at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/XYJQ2CP) is being sent to all of Scotland’s 900 care homes. It is hoped that care home managers will be able to spare the time to complete the survey (which should take no more than 15 minutes to complete).

The survey is supported by a number of national bodies:

“Scottish Care warmly commends this work and encourages you to participate by completing the short questionnaire.  Spiritual care lies at the heart of all good care home support.” (Donald Macaskill, Chief Executive, Scottish Care)

“The Care Inspectorate and the Scottish Social Services Council support this important area of work, seeing spirituality as part of person centred care” (Care Inspectorate, Scottish Social Services Council)

Further information

For further information about the survey, contact Simon Jaquet (Director, Simon Jaquet Consultancy Services Ltd) at [email protected]

 

 

Scottish Care response to Budget debate on social care in Scotland.

Scottish Care as the national representative body of older people care home and care at home providers notes with interest the substantial allocation of resource which is to be made available to the social care sector in England following the Chancellor’s announcements in the Spring Budget Statement.

In Scotland we face similar challenges within social care. The sustainability of both care homes and care at home services is today under increasing threat and challenge. Running costs for most organisations have increased significantly in the last few months. People are living longer, demand for social care is increasing all the time and the needs of those going into care are becoming greater.

Whilst recognising the investment in social care provision over the last two years we are calling upon the Scottish Government to make clear how it proposes to invest its share of the Barnett Formula allocation to support a sustainable and viable social care sector in Scotland. Together with the Government we want to work to ensure that the provision of care is sufficiently funded to ensure the rights and dignity of our older citizens are upheld. The adequate funding of social care is not a luxury but a fundamental component of what creates a just and fair Scotland.

 

 

Yes it’s that time of year again!

Scottish Care’s annual Care at Home and Housing Support Conference & Exhibition will take place in the Glasgow Marriott, Argyle Street, Glasgow on Friday 12th May 2017.

This year’s conference is entitled “Bringing Home Care: Transforming Support in the Community”

#bringhomecare

Click here to view the draft conference programme.

  You will notice from the conference programme that there will be insight sessions before and after lunch to enable delegates to attend two different sessions.  When booking, you will be asked to choose the two sessions you wish to attend on the day.

With the care at home reform process ongoing and an ever changing landscape of health and social care, the conference is a crucial opportunity for providers, partners and stakeholders to hear about how the reform work is progressing and what effect it will have on the sector.

Scottish Care will also be launching a new report on the care at home and housing support sector at this conference.

You can book your place to attend conference at: 
https://cahandhssconference2017.eventbrite.co.uk

You can only pay by card for online bookings.  Alternatively you can contact: [email protected] for a booking form.  Please note: no tickets will be issued until payment is received.

We look forward to seeing you on the day.

If you are interested in booking an exhibition stand at the conference, please contact [email protected]

Extended till 17th March – Only a few days left!!!

 

Scottish Care’s Annual Care at Home and Housing Support Awards are an important opportunity to recognise the tremendous work undertaken by organisations and staff who work in care at home and housing support services. This is a chance to highlight the skills, dedication and abilities of the many talented individuals and organisations who are dedicated to making life better for people and in supporting them achieve their fullest potential.

Entries are now open for the 2017 Awards, which will take place on Friday 12 May.

This is your chance whether as an organisation, individual or family member to tell us and others about the work you value.  We want to acknowledge what can be achieved when people work together to improve the lives of those who access care and support services in their own homes.  Awards are open to Scottish Care member organisations, their staff and clients but anyone can submit a nomination.

There are ten categories to enter in 2017 and we can’t wait to hear about your projects and partnerships.

1. Care at Home Services Carer(s) of the Year – Individual or Team
2. Housing Support Services Carer(s) of the Year – Individual or Team
3. Management & Leadership Award – Individual
4. Training & Staff Development Award – Individual or Company
5. Care Services Coordinator / Administrator of the Year – Individual
6. Innovative Practice Award – Individual or Team
7. Client Achievement Award – Individual or Team
8. Housing Support Provider of the Year – Company
9. Care at Home Provider of the Year – Company
10. Significant Contribution Award – Individual

Please make sure you have read the Awards Guidelines before entering.

Nominations can be submitted online at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/homecare2017.  If you require a hard copy of the nomination form, this can be downloaded here.

The deadline for entries is Friday 10 March 2017