Care England has expressed serious concern over the lack of collaboration between the NHS and the social care sector amidst escalating winter pressures.
As hospitals across the country declare emergencies, Care England says that ‘it is alarming that the expertise and capacity within the social care sector remains underutilised’.
Care England is urging the government, the NHS, and local authorities to prioritise a joined-up approach to winter planning by focusing on the proactive integration of social care providers into NHS discharge planning, clear and consistent communication across sectors to make full use of existing capacity, and adequate funding to ensure social care services can support the NHS effectively.
Professor Martin Green OBE, chief executive of Care England, said: “The current crisis in the NHS was both foreseeable and avoidable. It is deeply frustrating to see hospitals overwhelmed while care services with available capacity are overlooked. This failure to communicate and coordinate with social care providers has created avoidable bottlenecks, exacerbating the strain on an already overstretched system. Winter comes every year, and so do the challenges it brings. The continued failure to integrate social care into the NHS’s winter planning has turned a manageable situation into a full-blown crisis. This lack of foresight and coordination is unacceptable.
“Social care is not just a safety net for the NHS; it is an essential partner in delivering timely, effective care. It is high time that winter planning reflects this reality, ensuring better outcomes for individuals and easing the burden on hospitals.”
