The United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA) has recently launched the ‘Save Our Homecare Campaign’ and it needs your support. The aim of the campaign is to illustrate the urgent need to protect homecare services in the UK, not only for today but for the future.
A key component of the campaign is an e-petition pushing for additional funding to support people at home, and to more fairly reward the care workers that dedicate their lives to helping others. If we can help the petition to get 10,000 signatures the government has to respond. If we can go one better and get 100,000 signatures, the issues raised will be considered for debate in Parliament.
Ahead of the campaign Bridget Warr, UKHCA Chief Executive, said: “Almost a million people a year across the country need support to maintain their independence at home, but state-funded care is in crisis. If action isn’t taken now, the already chronic funding gap will deepen – putting these vital frontline services at risk. Worryingly, this means people may not get the support they require at home and the stretched NHS will face more pressure.”
The homecare industry is undoubtedly in crisis; compounded by the recession and the resulting austerity drive, the industry is at a tipping point. It’s estimated that by 2016 there will be a £753m shortfall in funding. At this very moment the government is gearing up for another spending review, the results of which will be published on the 25th November 2015. Collectively we need to encourage the government to take action by increasing funding for homecare.
Nicola Mewse, Managing Director at Hales, said:
“Everyone is likely to be connected to the Homecare industry in some way, either now or in the future – whether seeking care for a loved one, needing care themselves, working in the industry or knowing someone who does, or in sharing concern about the care a loved one or neighbour receives. The UK Homecare system is in danger of collapse. It’s estimated there are currently 1.6m adults with unmet care needs in the UK despite the work of some 500,000 care workers who are dedicated to supporting the vulnerable and elderly of our communities.”
Recent research showed over 800 people a day are in hospital with delayed discharge due to a lack of available homecare to support them when they get home. That’s £222,750 a day of NHS funds that could be diverted elsewhere to improve services and help save lives. Adequately funding homecare and raising the profile of the amazing work carried out by people in the homecare sector is part of the solution to this problem. That’s why we at Hales Health & Social Care are supporting the Save our Homecare campaign.
Every signature counts. Please sign the e-petition and help promote the #SaveOurHomecare campaign by liking the campaign page on Facebook and following the account on Twitter. Together we can make a difference to the lives of many, for today and for the future!
For help finding your next opportunity in health and social care visit http://www.halescare.co.uk/
