“How can I afford to heat my home this winter?” – That has been the number one question across the nation since the energy price cap started rising. The continued rise in energy costs will prove to have detrimental effects not only on households, but also catastrophic consequences for our health and social care system. …
Most hospital patients and care home residents in England will now no longer be required to undertake regular asymptomatic testing for COVID-19 unless they develop symptoms. This is in accordance with updated guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care (“DHSC”) published on 24 August 2022 (“The Guidance”). The Guidance takes effect from 31 …
NHS and care homes in England to pause routine COVID-19 testing Read More »
On 17 August 2022 Age UK conducted a survey (“The Survey”) among over 65s in the UKs population to establish the priorities for the next Conservative prime minister. The Survey which had 14,021 responses among over 65s, established that the greatest problem identified by more than half of participants (57%) said help with the cost …
The NHS and social care face the greatest workforce crisis in their history. This is further compounded by the absence of a credible government strategy to tackle the situation according to MP Jeremy Hunt, who is also Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee. The persistent understaffing is posing a serious risk to …
In November 2021, a cost collection survey was sent out by the Department of Health and Social Care (“DHSC”) to gather evidence in relation to the cost to care homes of providing NHS-funded nursing care (“FNC”) in 2021 to 2022. The subsequent evidence was used to inform the retrospective payments to reflect additional costs associated …
Evidence On Costs Associated With NHS-Funded Nursing Care In 2021 To 2022 Read More »
Care Minister Gillian Keegan has announced that the Government is delaying self-funders access to lower local authority fee rates by 18 months. In a statement on Thursday 7 July 2022, Gillian Keegan outlined that following consultation on the implementation of change with local authorities, the Government has decided to utilise the extension of section 18(3) …
Government announces delays to social care reform by 18 months Read More »
On 19 May 2022, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman released its report titled, ‘Focus Report – Equal Access – May 2022’ (“The Report”). In The Report, the Ombudsman has shared the results of its investigations to help councils and local services meet their legal duties to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity …
Ombudsman reiterates that equal access for all should be at heart of services Read More »
NHS bosses in England have asked hospitals to offer staff more overtime and have asked retired employees to return to work, with the purpose of tackling NHS waiting lists. A letter sent by NHS England dated 5 May 2022 to Hospitals, explains that the waiting list backlog had grown during the pandemic and would require …
NHS Hospitals to encourage retired staff to return to work to help tackle backlog Read More »
It appears that heavy reliance on private care providers by the NHS for mental health beds could have potentially catastrophic effects for patients. Currently the NHS is paying £2bn per year to private hospitals because they do not have enough beds for mental health patients. Data also reveals that the independent sector receives 13.5% of …
NHS Reliance on Private Care Providers for Mental Health Beds Raises Concerns Read More »
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 …
Social Care braced for ‘Perfect Storm’ amidst rising costs Read More »
Ridouts is a team of specialist health and social care lawyers, providing dedicated legal advice for care homes, GP practices, children’s homes, dental practices, domiciliary and home care agencies, supported and independent living services and both private and NHS hospitals.
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