Care homes given lifeline

Senior Sandwell Council officers have used delegated powers to draw up an emergency support programme to tackle the number of coronavirus cases among the elderly and vulnerable adults.

Stuart Lackenby, director of adult social care, said the steps were necessary to prevent homes and community based services closing.

Speaking to a meeting of Sandwell’s emergency committee, he said: “Should the council not provide support to these providers then there is a significant risk of provider failure and the subsequent impact on vulnerable adults.”

Earlier this month, the West Midlands Care Association warned rising costs were forcing companies to consider selling up or closing their doors as 509 homes reported Covid-19 infections.

The emergency committee approved a three tier package including prompt payment of existing contracts, help with staff transport costs and issuing emergency personal protective equipment to homes if supplies run out.

Other measures will give homes extended notice periods when residents die or are moved to hospital and help in purchasing essential face masks for care workers.

These steps will cost Sandwell £384,000 a month and, in addition, homes in danger of closing can apply for extra financial support.

Mr Lackenby explained: “Level three is a more bespoke offer to providers that looks to provide short term additional funding to enable them to break even and remain sustainable through the crisis.

“This is about preventing people from having to move from one care home to another because of financial failure. This would equally apply to community-based services.

“The council will asses its ability to provide additional funding based on an open book evaluation of the provider’s costs.”

He added: “This is about break even, this is not about profit margins.”

Councillors were told the support programme will be reviewed monthly to meet changes in the pandemic.