Alzheimer's Society "Fix Dementia Care Homecare" report
United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA) makes the following comments in response to the Alzheimer’s Society’s report “Fix Dementia Care Homecare”, published today (note 1).
UKHCA’s Policy Director, Colin Angel, said:
“It is never acceptable that people receive inadequate care. Dementia is a complex condition which requires skilled and dedicated support for individuals and their families. We are pleased that the Alzheimer’s Society’s report also shows how good support is delivered by a workforce of half-a-million staff.
“Alzheimer’s Society is right to highlight the importance of training in delivering effective and dignified care for people living with dementia.”
As a professional association, UKHCA have worked with the Alzheimer’s Society to develop a training programme for careworkers to support people with dementia at home. The programme covers the range of skills needed from early detection to support throughout the progress of the condition (note 2).
However, we believe that a number of issues relating to inadequate care which are described in the Alzheimer’s Society’s report are a symptom of the way that homecare services are commissioned by councils and the NHS, who themselves are facing increasing demands for care on inadequate budgets. This includes insufficient time being purchased to support people with complex needs, and is an issue which is significantly wider than just workforce training.
UKHCA has consistently highlighted that underfunded social care impacts on the experiences of people supported at home and recruiting and retaining skilled workers (note 3).Local authorities in England now have additional responsibilities for supporting social care providers and the workforce which must be delivered in practice (note 4).
Through the UKHCA Code of Practice (note 5) and our campaigning activity, this Association will continue to work with Government and stakeholders to challenge the conditions in which social care services are delivered, to ensure that people are supported at home safely and with the dignity which we all expect.
Ends
Notes for Editors
1. Alzheimer’s Society’s “Fix Dementia Care Homecare” published today has investigated the provision of homecare for people with dementia. https://www.alzheimers.org.uk.
2. UKHCA’s training programme, “Dementia Care for Homecare Providers”, will be piloted from January 2017.
3. UKHCA’s report, “The Homecare Deficit” found that councils are paying an average price of £14.58 per hour, compared to the Association’s minimum price to deliver sustainable homecare of 16.70 per hour. See www.ukhca.co.uk/rates/.
4. Local councils’ responsibilities for shaping the social care market and workforce development arise from the Care Act 2014.
5. UKHCA’s Code of Practice applies to all UKHCA members providing homecare services. http://www.ukhca.co.uk/ukhcacodeofpractice.aspx
6. United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA) is the professional association for more than 2,200 domiciliary care providers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
7. UKHCA’s mission, as a member-led professional association, is to promote high quality, sustainable care services so that people can continue to live at home and in their local community.
8. Homecare encompasses provision of personal care, to people in their own homes. For many, homecare is the alternative of choice for people who would otherwise need to move into residential accommodation.
9. A high resolution royalty-free image of Colin Angel, Policy and Campaigns Director is available from:
www.ukhca.co.uk/images/highres/angel_colin_20140701_079.jpg
10. Interviewees from UKHCA for broadcast media are available on request.
11. For further information please contact:
Colin Angel, Policy and Campaigns Director
United Kingdom Homecare Association Ltd
Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, SM6 7AH
Telephone: 020 8661 8188
Mobile: 07393 012 113
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.ukhca.co.uk
Registered in England, No. 3083104.
