Social Care Workforce 2022-12-06
2022-12-06
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
N/A
What steps his Department is taking to increase the size of the social care workforce.
We are supporting care homes and agencies in their efforts to recruit staff, including with a substantial national recruitment campaign. We have also added social care workers to the shortage occupation list to benefit from international recruitment to increase the workforce in the short term.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
A recent report from the Motor Neurone Disease Association found that most unpaid MND carers provide more than 75 hours of care a week, but many are unable to access respite services due to lack of skilled workers.
Will the Minister commit to increasing specialised training for conditions such as MND in the social care workforce to protect carers' health and wellbeing?
At present, £11 million annually is provided through the workforce development fund which social care employers can access. We are working on reforms that include training and skills improvement; I will look into including specialist MND training as part of this.
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Assessment & feedback
specific commitment to MND training
Looking Into
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The average age of the population is 10 years above the national average, leading to greater demand for social care services. Poor pay, conditions, lack of career prospects and absence of private rental sector exacerbate recruitment issues.
Will the Minister talk to her colleagues in Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to ensure a comprehensive package for communities such as mine, ensuring well-paid carers with affordable housing options?
In the short term, £500 million will be provided through the discharge fund this winter to increase social care capacity and address workforce challenges. In the long term, reforms are being introduced including addressing workforce needs which include housing availability for care workers.
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Assessment & feedback
specific commitment to comprehensive package
Looking At
Addressing
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Northampton General Hospital has around 150 patients who could be medically discharged but are not. West Northamptonshire Council is closing Spinneyfields, a step-down facility with a private finance initiative contract.
How can the situation where beds remain occupied unnecessarily and funding goes to an empty building for seven years due to a PFI deal be addressed?
I will take away the example from my hon. Friend's constituency and look into it; £500 million discharge fund is available to help increase capacity and address workforce challenges, ensuring those who do not need hospital care can receive proper care.
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Assessment & feedback
specific action for Spinneyfields closure
Looking Into
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Many issues discussed, particularly social care, require local authorities to be seen as allies rather than adversaries.
When will the new Health team recognise that local authorities must be full partners in delivering every sort of care?
Integrated care systems have been established to bring together health and social care. The £500 million discharge fund is allocated to local areas for pooled use between the NHS and local authorities; historic funding of £7.5 billion over two years has also been provided.
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Assessment & feedback
specific timeline or commitment to partnership status
Already Established
Funding Settlement
Response accuracy