Radical Reform Needed So Care Homes Not Second-Class Citizens

Responding to the latest care home death figures, Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents organisations across the healthcare sector, said:

“The sharp rise in care home deaths is tragic but not a surprise. We need to stop thinking they are part of a different system, a different world. That means doing everything locally and nationally to support this critical part of our health and care sector with the right PPE, training and support in infection control as well as adequate funding.

“Radical reform is needed so care homes are not second-class citizens but working hand in hand with the NHS. The social care action plan for England announced earlier this month was welcome but more needs to be done.

“Many NHS Trusts and GP practices are reaching out and supporting care homes with the help of doctors and nurses who have expertise and this is the right way forward. We desperately need a new way of thinking in which health and care are seen as one system – there is so much to learn from this pandemic but the interdependency of all the parts will be critical if we are to build a new way forward.”