Wellbeing of care workers must be part of reform

The health and wellbeing needs of the social care workforce must be brought in line with standards for NHS workers as part of social care reform, according to public and occupational health experts at Imperial College London.

There are an estimated 17,700 different organisations providing care in the sector. Just like healthcare workers, social care workers come into close contact with patients at their most vulnerable – but unlike healthcare workers, there is no national guidance around worker health.

The government has pledged to use the new Health and Social Care Levy to improve training and support in the care sector.

Lead author Dr Lara Shemtob said: ‘Carers delivering care at the bottom of the organisational hierarchy are least protected. With no carer unions or professional bodies and workforce health and wellbeing falling outside of the CQC’s remit, a national approach to standards and audit is necessary to protect carers and those they care for.’

In a recent survey more than 70% of care providers reported increasing challenges in recruiting and retaining staff and maintaining staff morale.

‘The importance of baking occupational health into social care reform is twofold’, said Dr Shemtob. ‘Firstly, the fragmented sector needs cohesive guidance around workforce health to protect staff and patients. Secondly, improving workforce wellbeing and strengthening the appeal of social care work will go some way to tackling the recruitment crisis.’

The authors said the infrastructure around workforce health in care must be improved – from an immunisation programme to protect both carers and patients, to support with the emotional burden of dealing with mentally unwell or distressed patients and the physical demands of personal care.

‘Carers need avenues for support, standards for dealing with periods of workforce illness and policies tackling absenteeism and presenteeism,’ added Dr Shemtob.

Photo by Ani Kolleshi