Welsh Health and Social Services Minister has
announced £22.7m in extra funding to help meet the additional
costs adult social care providers are incurring as a result of
the Covid-19 pandemic.
The money is in addition to the £40m Welsh Government made
available to local authorities in April to assist the adult
social care sector.
The Minister said: “Social care plays a vital role in
supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our
communities and has been on the front line in our effort across
public services to meet the challenges posed by Covid-19.
“The initial payment of £40m helped the sector meet the rising
costs incurred during the pandemic in areas such as staffing,
increased infection control, higher food prices and greater use
of ICT to keep families in touch with their loved ones where
they were no longer able to meet.
“This further funding will ensure adult social care providers
can maintain their vital care in what continues to be
challenging circumstances.”
This is particularly so in the case of care homes, who are now
also facing financial challenges through loss of income as a
result of increased vacancies in their homes due to the need to
restrict new admissions to contain the virus.
The funding will be made available immediately and continue
until the end of September after which the situation will be
reviewed again.
The Minister added: “The social care workforce is on the front
line of this huge effort to respond to the coronavirus pandemic
and we are committed to supporting every single person do their
job.
“Every one of us in Wales owes them a debt of gratitude. I want
to personally thank our social care workforce for their
fantastic efforts in protecting the public.”
