New online test kit portal as government steps up COVID-19 care home response
The government has launched an online portal that enables care homes to arrange deliveries of coronavirus test kits, as it looks to step up its response to the sector’s COVID-19 crisis in the face of intense criticism. For its part, the government says it is prioritising testing for care homes and other areas with the greatest need, […]
Coronavirus: Government sets out ‘national action plan’ for social care
Better access to testing, millions of additional PPE items, expansions to the workforce and a new brand to further recognise the sector’s contribution to society are at the heart of a new action plan to support the social care sector through the coronavirus outbreak. In the wake of much criticism over the last 10 days, […]
Support for NHS mental health a ‘sticking plaster’
A leading executive within healthcare recruitment has spoken out against Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s pledge to overhaul mental health support for NHS staff, warning that that ignoring fundamental issues would be like “sticking a plaster on a wound.” Michael Johnson -Ellis, managing director, Healthier Recruitment, praised the move which would include post-incident support for NHS […]
Government pledges ’emergency’ £240 million to NHS for winter social care
The extra funding is aimed at reducing delayed transfers of care and will be allocated to councils based on the adult social care relative needs formula. Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced the plans at the Conservative Party conference in a bid to stave off a repeat of last year’s winter health crisis. Specifically, the government […]
Government ‘planning social care tax’ to meet £3.5bn funding gap
Ministers are discussing the possibility of introducing a ‘social care’ levy to cover the cost of elderly care, according to various media reports. The Sun cites sources that say the idea has been pushed by former Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, and will enable a £3.5 billion funding gap to be closed. The proposal would see […]
