Disbelief at ‘paltry’ 2% nursing care rate increase

Care England say the proposed increase ‘shows contempt’ for a sector that has been on the front line during the pandemic.

From April 1, the standard weekly rate per person will increase by 2% from £183.92 to £187.60 and the higher rate of NHS-funded nursing care will also increase by 2% from the current rate of £253.02 to £258.08 per week.

The funding is provided by the NHS to care homes to support the provision of nursing care for people who are assessed as eligible.

The representative body said it has worked tirelessly to demonstrate how care home nurses have led during the pandemic.

It has supplied the Department of Health and Social Care with copious evidence of those extra responsibilities and costs but to no avail.

Professor Martin Green OBE, chief executive of Care England, said the rate, which mirrors that of last year, does not take the Covid-19 pandemic into account.

‘This decision shows contempt for a sector that has been on the front line during this pandemic and may be the final blow that sees some services close.

‘The impact of closures on the people we support, their families, and the dedicated staff, will be immeasurable.

‘Following last week’s dismal proposed pay increase for NHS nurses, the government’s recent Funded Nursing Care announcement has truly confirmed that the government see care home nurses as equally undeserving.

‘We would ask that the DHSC is fully transparent in evidencing how it came to a 2% increase for 2021-22.’

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