The care sector will struggle to implement stringent Covid testing and infection control measures unless the government extends key funding packages, according to leading industry representatives.
Care England and National Care Forum urged the government to extend the Infection Control Fund, Adult Social Care Rapid Testing Fund and the Workforce Capacity Fund beyond 31 March.
“Unfortunately Covid-19 doesn’t end on 31 March, but many of the relief funds for the adult social care sector, the frontline, do,” said Care England chief executive Martin Green.
“Without an extension to these relief funds the sector will be extremely hard pushed to deliver rigorous testing or infection control measures that are so vital in the fight against this virus,” he added.
Care England said an extension would allow providers need to plan ahead and deliver “the best delivery of care possible which takes time, resources, certainty and budgeting”.
National Care Forum meanwhile said the emergency funding to the care sector has been an essential for how providers operate and manage safe visits in care homes.
“We call on the government to immediately confirm the continuation of the funding that is essential to support the testing and infection control requirements that underpin the ability for homes to offer visiting,” added chief executive Vic Rayner (pictured).
“This will enable families and providers to work together as true partners in care to ensure that the wonderful memories made this precious mothering Sunday do not quickly fade away as the end of the fiscal year draws near,” she added.
“Having reached this point, after many months of campaigning, of the government enabling visiting in care homes, we must not then face a cliff edge where this cannot be sustained.”
