Home Care Insight editor Gemma Lloyd discusses the impact of the government’s ‘neglectful’ treatment towards the social care sector so far this year.

It’s fair to say the first few months of 2023 have left the social care sector with increased feelings of disappointment.

Strikes have been taking place, with further on the horizon, which puts lives at risk.

The government attempted to tackle the situation by announcing an international recruitment fund earlier this year, but for many that might just feel like we’re putting a plaster on a broken leg. Is this really the solution?

In the late days of February, the Government of Western Australia entered the scene with what can only be a frightening statement for the UK Government to hear. 

Offering a surf-and-sunshine lifestyle, along with “higher wages and a lower cost of living”, something UK health care workers have been calling for, Australian Police and Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia revealed that a delegation of industry representatives will travel to the UK to “steal your workers and offer a better life.”

Health and social care staff across the UK are in desperate need to have their pay increased in line with the cost of living crisis, and who can blame them. It is a huge root of many of the issues of social care, and the government has been too neglectful of this.

It was soon after the proposed action from Australia came that the UK Government agreed to enter talks about pay with the Royal College of Nursing bosses. At first, it appeared to possibly be the wake-up call the government so desperately needed.

The Government and health unions entered talk to sign off a pay deal and end strike action, and an offer was made.

However, RCN’s Pat Cullen has said the offer “is simply not enough” and the government needs to “significantly” improve what they have put on the table.

It is clear there is still not enough attention being paid to health and social care. As the sector sits in crisis and in desperate need of reform, the Spring Budget announced last month further supported this as it offered social care nothing – not even a mention.

Care providers and representative bodies spoke of their thoughts on Barclay’s “ignorance”.

They have called for windfall cash to be spent on care, described the budget as yet “another missed opportunity”, and unfortunately overall simply “unsurprising.”

With matters placed pretty much solely in the hands of those working in the care sector right now, its events like the Residential and Home Care Show that are vital for innovation, collaboration, and positive change.

Come visit us at the Residential & Home Care Show to find out more about Home Care Insight, Care Home Professional, and CarePro Ireland. The importance of attending shows like this, particularly in times like these, cannot be understated. We can’t wait to meet both old and new friends this 26 and 27 April.