All healthcare services have faced staffing shortages since the pandemic, which is alarming in itself. But now the situation is worsening, as care homes struggle severely to overcome staffing shortages.

With some nursing homes even resorting to closures due to staff shortages, the situation is serious. In this blog, Four Oaks Healthcare explores this crisis and its effect on residents and those who can’t get a place in nursing homes.

What are the Causes of the Care Home Staff Shortages?

There are a number of causes for this staff shortage, but the main reasons are, unsurprisingly, wages and resources. According to Professor Martin Green, CEO of Care England, the social care system for the elderly in England is “very broken,” leading care workers to earn more from packing shelves in supermarkets. 

He has warned Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that the shortage of staff in the sector cannot be addressed until there is a comprehensive overhaul of the system. Sunak seems to agree, as he has warned that the NHS crisis won’t be solved until care homes can compete with Aldi on wages. 

Another reason for this problematic shortage is the job loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. During that historical period, nursing homes lost approximately 210,000 staff. Since then, care homes have hired an average of 3,700 employees per month. If the industry continues at this pace, nursing homes will not return to pre-pandemic staffing levels until 2027.

How are the Social Care Staff Shortages Affecting the NHS?

The NHS are government-funded medical and healthcare services, so one will, of course, affect the other. While private care homes and live-in care providers may be safe from these issues, government-funded homes are under serious strain.

As Martin Green told the Daily Express: “There is a crisis in social care which has produced a crisis in the NHS. I think what we have seen is successive governments over many years neglecting social care.” He adds, “Now it has all come together to the point that not only is the social care system I think very broken but it is now having this huge impact on the NHS.”

How are Care Home Staff Shortages Affecting Patients?

These issues are causing serious repercussions for residents. Many of the current patients are finding their basic needs unmet, with vulnerable adults being left alone for many hours, not having access to showers, left lying in their own urine, and enduring assaults from other residents, as there is not enough staff to care for them.

In addition to the undignified strain the shortages are putting on vulnerable adults, it is also causing long-term care facilities to limit resident admissions. Due to a shortage of available nursing home beds, hospitals are grappling with substantial backlogs of patients who are ready to be discharged. This “bed blocking” issue has led to many having to wait for hours in ambulances to wait for a hospital bed to become free

The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) has also reported that some nursing homes have been forced to shut down permanently because of the staff shortage.

How can You Access Better Care?

If you or a loved one are affected by this care home crisis, consider live-in or homecare with Four Oaks Healthcare. While not everyone can afford private care, it is worth finding out more about, as this is an excellent option for attentive, dignified, personalised care. Get in touch with us today to find out more.