Investment in social care workforce welcome step

Responding to the Welsh Government’s announcement of a new National Social Care Academy, director of the Welsh NHS Confederation Darren Hughes said:

“NHS leaders will welcome this news as a step in the right direction for the social care sector in Wales. Social care plays a crucial role in supporting people to remain independent for longer and supporting our communities.

“Improving workforce pay and conditions - ensuring the workforce feel properly valued, paid and respected for their important work - is of crucial importance to stabilise the recruitment and retention of the social care workforce.

“But there also needs to be wider parity in how health and social care services are designed, commissioned and resourced to provide stronger, integrated services, leading to improved workforce retention and outcomes for service users. 

“The next Welsh Government needs to agree a long-term plan for social care, furthering the integration agenda and improving transparency and consistency of social care data collection and reporting, while continuing to improve workforce pay and conditions.”