NHS Confederation responds to the government's promised social care funding announcement

Responding to the Department of Health and Social Care's announcement of the £600 million social care workforce boost, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of NHS Confederation said:

“Health leaders will welcome the government’s announcement of the promised £600 million funding for social care. The money will help bridge some of those gaps in the social care workforce, helping reduce pressure both in hospitals and communities as well as improving care for patients.

“However, social care budgets have been below what is needed for a very long time and while this promised pot of funding is positive, there is still a desperate need for a long-term social care workforce plan, similar to the recently published NHS workforce plan.

“Health leaders will look forward to seeing the funding put to good use especially as they plan for winter, but without a long term workforce plan for social care, vacancy gaps and supporting hospital discharge will be an ongoing issue that will never fully be resolved. We urge the government to set out this plan, so staff and patients alike can feel supported in their communities for the years to come.”