Oliver Brown

Care Sector employers seeking to provide jobs to the people of Ukraine

Adult social care sector employers are working together to explore the possibility of providing employment opportunities for the people of Ukraine who are fleeing the conflict. The National Care Forum (“NCF”) along with the Care Provider Alliance (“CPA”) are liaising with a range of partners to identify which roles in the care sector need filling. …

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MPs want a major reform of NHS clinical negligence claims in England

MPs in England want to reform the current system for clinical negligence claims against the NHS which they believe is failing. It is their view that the current system does not encourage a culture where there is learning from mistakes made in the NHS. The current claims system is expensive with costs predicted to double …

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Pharmacists urge Government to amend law to ease HRT supply

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (“RPS”) has urged the Government to consider a law change regarding HRT prescriptions.  Currently, many types of hormone-replacement therapy (“HRT”) are in high demand and the short supply is not meeting this, leaving some women who rely on this medicine to have reported to be suicidal. The RPS’s proposal would aim …

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Patients in waiting rooms in England are no longer required to socially distance

On 14 April 2022, the Government introduced new ‘stepping down’ rules which apply to NHS hospitals, GP surgeries and emergency departments. As part of these rules, in England, there is no longer a requirement for patients to socially distance in waiting rooms. This is demonstrative of the Government’s ‘Living with COVID-19’ approach that they are …

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Social Care braced for ‘Perfect Storm’ amidst rising costs

On 19 April 2022, a new report published by the disability charity HFT called ‘Annual Sector Pulse Check’ (“The Report”), highlighted the current financial problems which the learning disability social care sector faces. Care providers are struggling financially, with 71% reporting that they are in a deficit, with costs currently exceeding their current levels of …

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Local Authorities pay up to £1m per child in private children’s homes

On 19 April 2022 The Guardian published an article revealing that some local authorities are paying substantial costs for children to be placed in a privately run children’s care home.  Private providers have defended these figures, citing the rising cost of living alongside high staffing levels needed for complex children as justification for the costs. …

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CQC reminds providers of UK Governments latest infection control and guidance

In their email update to ‘providers and professionals in adult social care’ on 14 April 2022, the CQC has reminded providers of the UK Government’s latest infection control and guidance policies (“Updated Guidance”). The Updated Guidance came into effect on 4 April 2022. This provides information regarding COVID-19 testing, Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”), and what …

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Eight out of ten care providers currently have recruitment issues

The National Care Association (“NCA”) conducted an annual survey in mid-March 2022 which found that 83%, over eight in ten care providers currently have recruitment issues. This is a stark reminder that underlying issues within the Health and Social care sector are still not being addressed in a meaningful or impactful way. What is causing …

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Care Bodies urge Government to reconsider decision to withdraw Infection Control Fund

The Care Worker’s Charity (“CWC”), The Care Providers Alliance (“CPA”) and The Relatives and Residents Association (“R&RA”) have all combined in their efforts to write to Sajid Javid the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. This letter has implored Sajid Javid to review the Government’s decision to withdraw funding for the Infection Control …

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Government outlines its £500m investment for the Health and Social Care Workforce

The Government will raise £5.4bn, through the Health and Social Care Levy (“The Levy”) which comes into effect on 6 April 2022. As part of The Levy, £500m has been outlined to be spent on assisting the adult social care workforce with increased investment. The aim of this investment is to both train and retain …

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