Homecare Association Responds to ADASS Spring Survey 2024
The Homecare Association welcomes the insights provided by the ADASS Spring Survey 2024. The survey highlights the critical role of homecare in supporting people to live independently in their own homes, while also underscoring the significant challenges facing the sector. Though the assessment backlog is reducing, over 418,000 people are still waiting for help.
Key findings related to homecare include:
- 30% increase in homecare hours delivered since 2021.
- 27% rise in average annual cost per person for homecare over three years.
- 7.4% increase in 'double handed' care, showing growing complexity of needs.
- £22.74 average hourly rate paid by councils for homecare, up 6.8% from 2023 to 2024.
- 39% of directors reported that homecare providers in their area had closed, ceased trading or handed back council contracts in the past six months.
These findings align with our recent research on hospital discharge and workforce from the perspective of homecare providers. Providers continue to find it hard to recruit care workers to meet rising demand. Care teams are struggling with increased complexity of needs and insufficient funding for wages and training. Homecare providers believe patients are being sent home from hospital too early, causing readmissions.
Though average fee rates for homecare have increased, there is wide variation across the country. Some councils and NHS bodies are using over-supply of homecare to drive down prices and are purchasing homecare at rates as low as £15-16 per hour. This increases risk of unsafe, poor quality care and labour exploitation.
The Homecare Association urges the Government to act on ADASS's recommendations. Long-term investment in adult social care will tackle immediate issues and promote economic growth.
Dr Jane Townson OBE, CEO of the Homecare Association, commented:
"This survey paints a picture of a homecare sector that's running to meet soaring demand while juggling flaming torches of rising costs and complexity.
We're seeing more hours delivered, more complex needs met, and providers being squeezed from all sides.
There’s no wealth without health. Investing in homecare isn't just about enhancing health and wellbeing - it's an economic no-brainer. A thriving homecare sector creates jobs, reduces pressure on the NHS, and enables family carers to remain in the workforce. It's a triple win for the economy.
We're in favour of the new government's policy to prioritise early support in the community over crisis management in hospitals. Let’s see them walk the talk.”
ENDS