Government’s appalling lack of strategy for social care has left care of the most vulnerable in uncertain futures
GMB, the union for care workers, has responded to HC-Ones's announcement 52 care homes are to be sold and four closed.
Rachel Harrison, GMB National Officer, said:
“The Government has failed to deal with the problems in the social care system over years with the covid pandemic revealing the yawning cracks in the system from years of Government neglect.”
“This announcement that one of our biggest social care providers is having to sell off and transfer care homes during the biggest public health crisis in our lifetimes just shows how broken the current system is – maybe even on the verge of collapse.”
“The appalling lack of Government strategy has led to thousands more staff and residents facing another crisis, with their futures uncertain while providers try and move the deck chairs and paper over the cracks in the absence of a plan.”
“Government Ministers have promised reform, calling for better integration with our health and public services, but we need more than just words and a promise of bringing forward reforms in the far-off future we need the details of the plan and action now.”
“For starters we’re calling for these homes to be brought under local authority control and for the Chancellor in the Budget on Wednesday to announce the funding needed to cover the transition costs while we wait for a plan for social care.”
“GMB members and residents in HC-One are now waiting to hear what their future is. Never before has a properly funded National Care Service been so important.”
