Figures released by the Office for National Statistics showed that over the last year, the number of care home residents has declined by 7.9% to 360,792.
Independent Care Group chair Mike Padgham said operators were “in a very precarious position”. He explained, “Covid had devastated bed occupancy. There was tragic loss of life and even after its peak, homes were restricted in taking new admissions. Now, admission levels are struggling to recover because confidence has been affected. At the same time, the sector is going through a staffing crisis with many providers struggling to fill shifts.”
Padgham added “Rocketing bills’ were placing financial pressures on homes. All in all, this is a terrible time for the social care sector – the worst I have known in more than 33 years providing care,” he added.