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Covid-19: Social Care — [Derek Twigg in the Chair]
22 April 2021
Lead MP
Helen Hayes
Dulwich and West Norwood
Lab
Responding Minister
Helen Whately
Tags
NHSSocial CareEmploymentMental Health
Word Count: 13276
Other Contributors: 7
At a Glance
Helen Hayes raised concerns about covid-19: social care — [derek twigg in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The lead MP calls for a public inquiry with a separate strand on social care to learn lessons for future pandemics. She urges the Government to start cross-party talks on long-term reform and ensure co-production in the process. Additionally, she asks the Minister to urgently commit to increasing pay for social care workers.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The speaker is concerned about the devastating impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the social care sector. She cites figures such as 40% of all deaths from covid-19 being care home residents between March and June 2020, with an additional 12,000 deaths since January 2021. The speaker also highlights the challenges faced by social care workers, including lack of access to PPE and testing, and the mental health impacts on staff due to high mortality rates among residents.
Barbara Keeley
Lab
Worsley and Eccles South
Covid-19 has exposed the failings of social care, with over 30,000 deaths in care homes and people with learning disabilities six times more likely to die from covid. The Care Act easements led to cuts in care packages for many, leaving family carers to take on more unpaid work. Restrictions on visiting often failed to consider the damage isolation does to residents' wellbeing. There are 470 social care staff who died from the virus. Care staff remain underpaid and undervalued despite their heroic efforts during the pandemic. Unpaid carers were not mentioned once in the White Paper, which was taken negatively by carers' organisations who felt their efforts during the pandemic were unrecognised.
Damian Green
Con
Ashford
Urgent action is required to facilitate voting by people in residential care homes for the upcoming election. The past year has been devastating for care homes due to the pandemic, with a need for balance between safety and mental well-being through vaccination of staff and residents. Domiciliary care workers and unpaid carers should also be vaccinated. There is consensus that social care needs addressing, but funding remains a critical issue, requiring an additional £7 billion annually according to the Health and Social Care Select Committee. A career structure for care workers, integration with the NHS, and housing strategies are vital.
David Simmonds
Con
Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Commended the hon. Member for Dulwich and West Norwood and his right hon. Friend for securing this debate. Highlighted the impact of restrictions on care home visits during the pandemic. Noted that less than one in five people will use social care services during their lifetime, but it consumes around 70% of local authority budgets. Emphasised the need to look at international models and find a long-term financial solution for sustainable funding. Cited variations across London boroughs regarding council tax precepts. Stressed that local authorities should lead in managing social care due to their success in joint working arrangements with the NHS.
David Warburton
Con
Somerton and Frome
Praised the dedication of care workers during the pandemic, highlighting staffing shortages and funding issues. Suggested a need for sustainable funding and a comprehensive social care workforce strategy to improve pay and conditions.
Derek Twigg
Lab
Widnes and Halewood
Reminded Members about changes to normal practice for hybrid arrangements, including timings of debates and suspensions between them. Advised physically present Members to clean their spaces before using and leaving the room, and reminded all Members that masks should be worn in Westminster Hall.
Liz Kendall
Lab
Leicester West
Discussed the impact of the pandemic on social care users, staff, families and communities. Highlighted high death rates in care homes, particularly for people with dementia and learning disabilities. Criticised inadequate PPE provision and low pay for care workers. Called for better support for unpaid family carers and community-based services. Emphasized the need to transform society's approach to aging and disability.
Martyn Day
SNP
West Dunbartonshire
Paid tribute to care staff for their hard work during the pandemic, highlighted that Scotland faced similar challenges as England and Wales with regards to care home deaths. Mentioned that Scotland has achieved almost complete vaccine uptake among care home staff without making it compulsory. Emphasized measures taken by the Scottish Government to support social care workers, including a £5 million mental health network for wellbeing and psychological support.
Government Response
Helen Whately
Government Response
The Government have provided £1.8 billion of specific covid funding for social care during the pandemic, including £1.3 billion for infection control measures. Over 2 billion items of PPE have been supplied to the sector, and free testing has been prioritised for care home staff and visitors. The workforce capacity fund of £120 million was introduced to boost staffing during the second wave. Mental health support for staff is being mirrored from NHS staff. Deborah Sturdy was appointed as chief nurse for social care. A social care data dashboard was created, and a regional assurance team established. Visitor testing was introduced to reduce risks in care homes. Vaccinations were prioritised for the social care sector, with all residents offered their second dose by end of January. The health and social care White Paper includes steps towards reform, such as integrated care systems and a new oversight system.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.