Staffordshire care home market to be reviewed

The care home market in Staffordshire will be reviewed to ensure it can continue to offer quality care, value for money and timely access to care in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet yesterday outlined the important role care homes have played throughout the pandemic, and the impact it has had on the care home market.

These include a reduction in the number of beds being used, increased operating costs due to enhanced cleaning and infection control, and the reduction in some care home capacity due to social distancing requirements.

The county council has agreed to strengthen its quality improvement work, ensure costs represent the best value for money, improve the way it buys care home placements, and explore future options.

A previous proposal to refurbish Hillfield House will also not be progressed, as the new requirements for infection control mean the proposals no longer represent good value for money.

Julia Jessel, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Care said: “The past 18 months have been a very challenging time for care homes, who have played a crucial role in keeping people safe throughout the pandemic. It is now important that we look ahead and plan for services that are fit for the future.”

“It is important in the face of the pandemic that we review our approach to the care home market, to ensure we are making the best use of what is available and we can continue to offer good-quality, affordable care that meets people’s assessed needs. We need the care home sector to be sustainable. We will continue to promote innovation, including use of technology, to improve the quality and efficiency of the care sector so that it can meet future challenges.”