What's New in Social Care and Healthcare this Week? (15/01/24)

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​In healthcare and social care, there are rarely quiet days, with news items flowing in thick and fast. With that in mind, we've compiled a weekly roundup to keep you abreast of all the latest news items so that you don't miss a thing. Let's crack on, then!

£20 Million Boost for Social Work Apprenticeships

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced a significant £20 million investment to bolster social work apprenticeships in adult social care. This funding is a significant boost for the sector, aiming to address the critical need for skilled social workers.

The investment is set to enhance training and development opportunities, enabling more individuals to pursue social care careers. This initiative marks a positive step towards strengthening the workforce in a sector that plays a vital role in supporting vulnerable adults.

An Increasing Number of NHS Beds Occupied by Dementia Patients

A recent examination of the UK's healthcare system reveals a pressing issue: around one in four NHS beds is occupied by patients with dementia. This situation stems from a critical shortage in community care facilities, causing extended hospital stays for dementia patients.

This occupancy rate is a symptom of broader challenges in the social care sector, including a growing elderly population and a strain on resources, highlighting the urgent need for reform and investment in social and at-home care services.

Newly Expanded Mental Health Services for Armed Forces Veterans

NHS England is expanding its mental health support for veterans, focusing on enhancing self-referrals and addiction support. This development follows a survey showing that over half of veterans find it challenging to seek help for mental health issues.

The Op COURAGE service, which has received over 30,000 referrals since 2017, offers specialist care by professionals familiar with military culture. The initiative aims to improve accessibility and support for veterans, reservists, and service leavers experiencing mental health problems.

Wiltshire Social Workers to Strike

Twenty-two social workers in Wiltshire, part of the GMB Union, have voted to strike in response to pay cut proposals by Wiltshire Council. The council plans to "fire and rehire" various roles, including social workers, to remove an unsocial hours pay uplift.

The union highlights the significant pay cuts social workers face – almost £750 per month in some cases - criticising the council's tactics as unethical. This strike action follows a similar move by traffic wardens in the county, who have already taken 11 days of strike action.

Medicine Shortages Hitting the UK

The UK is facing a crisis of medicine supply shortages, affecting various drugs, including Tegretol, used for epileptic seizures, and medications for type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart conditions, menopause, and angina. The total number of medicine shortages has reached nearly double that of January 2022.

Contributing factors include Brexit-related issues, the war in Ukraine impacting supply chains, additional regulatory paperwork, and economic factors like the devaluation of the pound post-Brexit. These challenges, combined with poor planning and communication within the healthcare system, are understandably causing frustration among patients and pharmacy owners.

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