A survey investigating the impact of COVID-19 on care providers by National Care Association has revealed that despite the majority of providers able to readily source PPE, 67 per cent have expressed their concerns over their ability to continue operating.
One respondent said: “Income is very low, we only have 11 residents, out of 17 beds.”
Others have reported how funding has helped cover costs, but only because they have remained coronavirus free.
The survey also revealed concerns providers have had over availability of testing for symptomatic staff and residents, staff shortages, and the mental health of staff and residents.
Despite these concerns, the survey has also exhibited the lessons learnt by providers over the past six months, with 93 per cent of providers reporting that they do not have COVID-19 in their services.
Nara Ahmed OBE, executive chairman of National Care Association said: “The sector remains in a fragile state with very little recognition or support. Short term offers of funding will only act as a sticking plaster on a very deep and infected wound which has received little or no attention in decades.
“It seem surreal that, despite strong evidence and hard facts, our sector continues to be minimised, ignored and marginalised despite the fact that we contribute over £40 billion to the economy, employ 1.5 million people and have more beds than the NHS. Clearly, the government are not listening and the Social Care voice is being treated with little or no respect.”
The full survey findings are available here.
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