Call For Care Sector Help As Funding Ends
Providers need help during pandemic
CARE providers today urged the Government not to turn its back on care providers and to keep providing support at a crucial time in the fight against Covid-19.
The Independent Care Group (ICG) is worried because key financial support for the social care sector comes to an end this month.
ICG Chair Mike Padgham: “Today’s fall in the Covid-19 death rate in care and nursing homes is excellent news and we hope and pray that it continues.
“But we are reaching a crucial time and now is not the moment for the Government to turn its back on the care sector.
“The pandemic hasn’t gone away and is still claiming the lives of loved ones.
“Many key elements of Government financial support for care settings against Covid-19 stop at the end of March but the reality is, coronavirus won’t stop then.
“If social care providers are to keep protecting their clients, staff and the wider community, we will continue to need that support and the Government must extend it.”
Funds coming to an end include:
- Infection Control Fund
- Adult Social Care Rapid Testing Fund
- Workforce Capacity Fund.
Today’s figures from the Office for National Statistic show that 383 people died from
Covid-19 in care and nursing homes in the week up to 5th March, down from 510 the previous week. According to these figures, 31,278 people died from Covid-19 in care and nursing homes between 28th December 2019 and 5th March 2021.
