What's New in Social Care and Healthcare this Week? (27/11/23)
With another week upon us, it's time for our weekly roundup – a review of the previous week's social care and healthcare news that we look for, so you don't have to.
We've taken the news stories from their source and given you the brief rundown; we've also linked more information should you have the time and want to learn more.
So, let's cut the chit-chat and get straight to the important stuff, the stuff you want to hear about.
1. Healthcare and Social Care Still Overly Reliant on Paper-Based Systems
Legacy, paper-based systems are still being used in three-quarters of the UK's NHS trusts. This, according to the British Medical Journal (BMJ). CEO of Birdie, Max Parmentier, told Open Access Government that utilising these old systems "costs more than administrative speed: it costs people their health".
Mr Parmentier discussed how technology can bridge social care and healthcare, citing the role of data in particular. Digitisation is more innovative, safer and more efficient, and the sooner the digital transformation of the health and care sectors can be realised, the better.
2. Care Sector on Brink of Crisis According to Care Provider
A care provider in the West Midlands has warned that, with more care homes closing, there's a real risk of a crisis in the adult care sector.
As a means of dealing with the problem, Indy Goraya, Managing Director of Bluebird Care Solihull & Birmingham West, told Home Care Insight that live-in caring was the solution, stating that "The broader adoption of live-in care could revolutionise our overstretched social care system."
3. Visa Restrictions Could Spell Big Danger for Health and Care Services
Proposed new visa restrictions on the number of dependents that foreign health and social care workers can bring with them to the UK have been criticised by NHS Employers, who warn that the move could spell big problems for both services.
We currently rely heavily on overseas workers, with one in six NHS workers coming from abroad, and there are fears that the new plans will disincentivise the UK as a place for international candidates to come and practice.
4. More than a Third of Social Workers Still to Renew with Social Work England
As of 23 November, almost 30% of social workers still hadn't started a renewal form with Social Work England to be registered to practise legally. The deadline for these forms to be completed is 30 November. This is an increase from last year's percentage, with 27.5% not having started a renewal form at this point last year (compared with 29.9% this year).
5. New Pay Offer for Striking Consultants
The government has put a brand-new pay offer on the table for consultants in the NHS, with an added 4.95% being offered from January. This is as well as the additional 6% pay rise that consultant doctors had already been given. The British Medical Association (BMA) will now consider the offer.
Nurses have reacted angrily to the offer, with the pay rise of 5% that they were given being significantly less than consultant doctors when this fresh pay offer is considered. The RCN Chief Nurse, Professor Nicola Ranger, said the move would make "nursing strikes more likely in the future."
Browse Our Roles!
So, there you have it, your week's roundup of social care and healthcare news. As we said at the start, if you want to read about the stories fully, click on the links in each story. But if you want a quick rundown, this is where you want to be. See you next week for another edition! Whilst you're here, why not browse our comprehensive range of healthcare and social care roles we have on offer? We guarantee there'll be something to suit you!
