North Yorkshire care home boss calls for social care plan off back of NHS reform

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced a long-term plan to improve staffing in the NHS, but there are calls for the same in social care sector

Author: Liam ArrowsmithPublished 30th Jun 2023

A care home boss in North Yorkshire has called on the Government to announce a strategy for care home staffing, off the back of a plan for the NHS.

On Friday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak set out a series of long-term proposals, including funding for extra medial training places and apprenticeships, as well as more flexible working to retain staff.

He told a Downing Street press briefing the purpose of protecting the nation's health has not changed but "what has changed are the challenges facing the NHS".

Chair of the North Yorkshire Independent Care Group Mike Padgham welcomed the announcement, but said it overlooked issues in social care.

He told Greatest Hits Radio: "Unless social care is mentioned, then in fact, the NHS plan is flawed.

"Both sectors rely on each other. We've got our own issues on workforce, 165,000 vacancies and no plan to address that yet."

We've reached out to the Department of Health for a statement.

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