Press Story

Carys Roberts, IPPR research fellow on social policy, responding to today’s NHS statistics showing another increase the number of NHS patients waiting for a transfer of care, said:

“These statistics once again underline the huge crisis in social care, with the number of delayed days due to patients waiting for a social care package in their own home nearly doubling over the past year.

“As our report today shows, the UK will need to attract and train 1.6 million health and social care workers up to 2020.

“To do this social care needs more funding, as well as a radical change in workforce strategy - both to improve working conditions to attract more workers and to raise standards in the sector.”

Ends

Contact

Kieren Walters 07921 403651 k.walters@ippr.org

Editor’s notes:

1. This morning’s delayed transfers of care statistics can be found here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/06/December-16-DTOC-SPN.pdf

2. Further information on the new IPPR report ‘Care in a post-Brexit climate’ can be found here: ippr.org/news-and-media/press-releases/social-care-sector-must-have-post-brexit-action-plan-to-raise-poor-standards

3. IPPR aims to influence policy in the present and reinvent progressive politics in the future, and is dedicated to the better country that Britain can be through progressive policy and politics. With nearly 60 staff across four offices throughout the UK, IPPR is Britain’s only national think tank with a truly national presence.

Our independent research is wide ranging, it covers the economy, work, skills, transport, democracy, the environment, education, energy, migration and healthcare among many other areas. ippr.org