Drop in demand for care beds in Sheffield could have 'serious long-term effects on the sector'

During the pandemic, occupancy levels have been impacted by a high death rate, fewer admissions, and families choosing to care for relatives themselves.

Leroy Young is the director of Silver Healthcare, a family-run provider that operates two care homes in the city. He said the fall in occupancy was a blow to an already under-funded sector.

“The bed numbers are having a massive effect on the care sector in Sheffield We have all struggled for 10 years. We have not made any profit.

“You have got austerity policy, you have got rising costs in things like minimum wage, you have got ever-increasing regulations. It is becoming harder and harder to cover all the costs."

Mr Young added that these pressures could cause closures, creating a devastating effect when demand for care beds eventually resumes.

“It is going to mean that there is no care there for people. There will not be enough beds. People will be trapped in hospitals, bed blocking those who need operations.”

In 2019, Silver Healthcare was forced to shut one of their homes, Fulwood Lodge, finding alternative arrangements for the residents who lived there.

“It was like the soul of the building had been ripped out. It was a really sad and awful experience to have to suffer. If that is going to have to happen multiple times across the city, it is not fair. People should not be treated that way,” said Mr Young.

Coun George Lindars-Hammond, Cabinet member for health and social care at the council, said: “We are absolutely concerned about the effect the pandemic has had on occupancy levels.

“We want to make sure we are targeting additional support where it is needed to those homes and providers that specifically have those pressures.

“The work that we are doing now is focused on what we will need in the future in terms of the number and shape of beds in Sheffield - not just this year but in years to come.”