Together we will be seeking to fully understand the extent of the crisis and its potential impact whilst also exploring how we can form an effective united front to both protect and improve such important services and lifelines for the elderly and vulnerable in our society says GMB.
GMB, the union for care workers, is hosting a Care Sector Forum in Wakefield on Thursday 10th December to discuss the ongoing crisis in the care sector and what can be done jointly with local Care Home Employers to address the acute funding shortage and its effects.
As unions, care providers, local government leaders, the NHS Confederation, Directors of Social Services, charities and others say the measures announced in last week's Comprehensive Spending Review are "too little, too late" GMB has called together representatives from Four Seasons, HC-One, Countrywide, Brighterkind, Huntercombe and Panaceon to discuss the crisis and how best to work together to deal with it.
Details of the GMB Forum:
Earlier this year GMB joined forces with Care Sector Employers to highlight the funding crisis in Social Care and how the failure by the government to adequately fund social care would see care homes closing, beds lost and the collapse of some providers.
Rachel Dix, GMB Regional Organiser said, "Our event tomorrow in Yorkshire is unique. By bringing together all interested parties we want to explore what action needs to be taken to get government to not just sit up and listen but invest adequately in our elderly and vulnerable . The chancellor's Corporate Spending Review (CSR) was a partial step in the right direction, but passed the buck to local councils and as Director of ADASS Ray James said, it was "too little, too late".
Unions and employers do not always agree so this might seem odd in some quarters but GMB is determined to work closely with colleagues from enlightened employers because that is right for the care home residents, right for their families, right for the companies and right for GMB members. Representatives from local authorities and private care providers along with local politicians have been invited to the Forum. "Together we will be seeking to fully understand the extent of the crisis and its potential impact whilst also exploring how we can form an effective united front to both protect and improve such important services and lifelines for the elderly and vulnerable in our society.
"GMB is confident that this will be the first of many meetings in a concerted attempt to divert the dangerous course this government is currently driving and which puts the stability of care provision in this country on the brink of collapse."
Contact Rachel Dix GMB Organiser on 07958 156839 or GMB Press Office 07921 289880 0r 07974 251823.
