Care England, the largest representative body for independent
providers of adult social care, has called upon Government to
improve the future sustainability of the learning disability
sector.
Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England,
says:
“The learning disability sector is one of the fastest growing
sectors in adult social care. As a result of increased demand
induced by demographic factors, historic workforce issues and
increased difficulties in the access to care, the pertinence of
the learning disability sector is likely to grow and demand
greater governmental attention and action than what has been
given previously”.
Despite the increased demand, the learning disability population
in receipt of adult social care has been largely overlooked over
the course of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is demonstrated
through, but not limited to: the lack of accurate data on deaths
at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic; lack of testing;
insufficient access to personal protective equipment (PPE) for
staff; a lack of governmental understanding about the delivery of
specialist care and the settings in which the care is delivered;
and the blanket use of do not attempt cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (DNACPR).
Care England’s own analysis of how the learning disability sector
has been impacted by Covid-19 indicates a slight decrease in
overall occupancy rates and an increase in staffing costs driven
by increased absence payments, sickness costs, shielding costs,
overtime costs, agency costs and gratuity payments.
Martin Green continues:
“Emerging systems to manage the virus have been put in place as a
result of the change Covid-19 has demanded, however significant
action is still required to better meet the care needs of the
learning disability population. We encourage Government to
consider those cost areas which can be reduced to assist adult
social care providers. It is important that due attention is
given to addressing business costs, providing PPE free of charge,
extending the Infection Control Fund and ensuring that all
commissioners, Local Authority and CCG, pass on funds given to
support the COVID-19 response”.
