Increased funding for nursing in care homes ‘welcomed’

The rate paid to care homes for NHS funded nursing care has risen by 11.5% for 2022-23, in a move welcomed by care providers.

Providers will receive a retrospective uplift estimated to be worth £87m for nursing care during the pandemic in 2021-22.

The standard weekly rate per person, provided for NHS-funded nursing care, has increased by 11.5% from £187.60 to £209.19 for 2022-23 and will be backdated to 1 April.

Minister for Care Gillian Keegan said: ‘Our brilliant adult social care nurses work tirelessly to support people living with a variety of health needs.

‘Increasing the weekly rate and the retrospective uplift reflects the cost of this vital work which is carried by our valued and skilled workforce to help those who need it.

‘It is right we continue to review the cost of this care to ensure nurses can continue providing excellent care and support the needs of their residents.’

The announcement was welcomed by care providers. Chair of the Independent Care Group (ICG) Mike Padgham said: ‘This is very welcome news and overdue recognition for our amazing nurses working in care settings.

‘It paves the way for care providers to be better able to recognise the hard work our nurses do – not only during the pandemic but 24/7, 365 days a year.

‘The Government has acknowledged the extra mile nurses have gone during the pandemic.’

He praised Minister for Care Gillian Keegan for recognising social care nurses. ‘This recognition by the Minister is long-overdue and we hope it is a positive signal for the future,’ he added.

‘Whilst today’s announcement is good news for nursing in social care it is only a first step and we must keep up the pressure for complete, root and branch funding reform of social care so that we can properly recognise, respect and reward not only nursing staff but all care staff working in social care settings.’

He also paid tribute to organisations like Care England, who had provided the Government with the evidence needed to secure the Funded Nursing Care uplift (FNC).

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, commented: ‘Care England has focussed tirelessly on FNC since 2015 to secure a rate payable to reflect the challenges of providing nursing care in a sector troubled by workforce shortages, rising agency costs and increasing resident dependency.

‘We commend the Department of Health and Social Care for recognising the cost increases faced by providers and the impact of the pandemic on our valued nurses. As we move forward, we must seek longer-term solutions to the national nursing shortage and the difficulties the sector has recruiting nurses and slowing the rates of attrition.’

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