Residents Of Care Homes In Danger Of Being Deprived Primary Care Services

Care England, the largest representative body for independent social care providers, has expressed its disappointment over the decision made by the BMA to cease caring for care home residents.

Commenting on the decision Professor Martin Green, Chief Executive of Care England, said:

“Residents of care homes should not be treated any differently from those living in their own homes; a care home is their home.  GPs are a vital part of the fabric of the care package for any care home and it is impossible to imagine residents receiving the care and attention that they require without full access to primary care.

In the past we have talked about the unfair practice of care homes being charged fees for core services.  One wonders whether this decision by the BMA is a reaction to the end of GP retainers.  If so, let’s have an honest discussion without forgetting the dire financial state of affairs affecting the care sector .”

Martin Green continued:

“Residents of care homes have several comorbidities and we have moved people out of acute hospitals, but not moved the resources needed to support them properly. In some areas Local Authorities are paying £2.31 an hour for high level dependency care, clearly this is not sustainable”.