Sheffield care home boss fears social care sector 'on cliff edge' without Government help

Nicola Richards, director of Palms Row Health Care in Sheffield, said the sector is ‘on a cliff edge’, with homes across the UK facing closure as they spend an extra £38.6 million per week on Covid-19 costs.

Ms Richards said 18 residents have died in outbreaks at two of her three homes, and 60 residents have tested positive.

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Local authorities have been given more than £3 billion to support services such as care homes, but Ms Richards said she has not received any money so far.

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The manager said the sector is at risk unless the money is ring-fenced for care homes and assurances are given regarding continued funding despite a fall in occupancy in many homes as a result of coronavirus.

Ms Richards said: “Care homes provide a vital national service and instead of being fully resourced we are facing a three-wave tsunami which could destroy the sector.

“We feel there have been failings of central and local government in relation to Covid-19 and care homes across the country.

“We should have been afforded the focus, support and protection like the NHS. Sadly, care homes have taken the full force of the impact of this pandemic because of Government policy and this could yet get worse.”

She continued: “We're on a cliff edge. The sector that's been hit the hardest, ultimately is the one that's most at risk now.”

Ms Richards said Sheffield City Council has offered a five per cent uplift in funding to care homes to cover Covid-19 costs, but Care England had recommended 15 per cent.

She said: “While care homes are fighting for residents' lives, we are being abandoned by the authorities who have for too long seen us as a Cinderella service.”

The Department of Health and Social Care said: “The Government is working around the clock to make sure the adult social care sector in England is getting the support they need to tackle the pandemic on the frontline and continue to deliver quality care to our most vulnerable.”