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RCN vote must be wake-up call to Government
April 28, 2003 12:00 AM
Commenting on the vote at the RCN Conference in Harrogate calling on Government to increase the fees paid to care homes to stem the meltdown in the care home sector, Liberal Democrat Spokesman for Older People Paul Burstow MP said:-
"The RCN has rightly recognised that the loss of care homes has been unforeseen, unstructured, and unplanned in Whitehall. The victims are vulnerable elderly people forced to pack up and leave what has become their home. For some the trauma is too much and costs them their lives.
"This vote must be a wake up call to the Government. We are in real danger of Government inaction turning the crisis in the care home sector into a meltdown. The clock is ticking; unless Ministers act decisively now and restore confidence in the care home sector, more homes will close their doors.
"The warning signs have been there for a long time. Low fee levels, increases in the older population, and poor long term planning have left the care system in a state of freefall.
"Fees must rise. Not to line the pockets of care home owners, but to pay a decent wage to care workers to recruit and retain the right staff.
Ends
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