❗ Government Responds to Cost of Inaction
The government has finally responded to the Health and Social Care Committee’s warning on long-term inaction, launching an independent commission led by Baroness Casey.
- Committee report warned of systemic collapse without reform
- Government promises roadmap but lacks detail on funding
- MPs say public support must be central to lasting change
📰 Read the government response on gov.uk
📉 Visa Axe Threatens Care Staffing Stability
New immigration rules mean care worker visa routes are being shut down, threatening workforce stability just as vacancy rates had returned to pre-pandemic levels.
- Skilled worker visas for care roles ended from 3 July
- International recruitment already down 50%
- Unions and providers warn of disastrous consequences
📰 The Guardian covers the visa crackdown
📢 Council Urges Government to Rethink Social Care Visa Ban
Kent County Council, led by Reform UK, has called on the government to urgently reconsider its decision to close overseas recruitment routes for care workers.
- 20–25% of KCC’s care workforce are on sponsored visas
- Leaders warn providers face a staffing “cliff edge”
- Visa closure follows exploitation concerns — but council says providers were not even informed
- National Insurance changes also squeezing care budgets
📰 Read the full story on the BBC
🌍 Care Homes: How Will They Cope Without Migrant Workers?
On 3 July 2025, BBC Radio 4’s The Bottom Line, hosted by Evan Davis, explored the impact of the UK government’s decision to bar overseas recruitment of care home staff:
- Providers under pressure: Raina Summerson (Agincare) and Haris Khan (Curaa Group) discussed strategies for coping with tightening labour pools.
- Low pay remains a barrier: All agreed that without significant increases in wages, attracting UK workers will be extremely difficult.
- System-wide implications highlighted: William Laing (LaingBuisson) forecast acute workforce shortages and rising operational costs across the care sector.
📰 Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
⚠️ Covid Inquiry: ‘No Lessons Learned in Care’
UNISON told the Covid-19 Inquiry that the care sector remains as vulnerable as it was in 2020, despite the enormous toll of the pandemic.
- Inquiry hears of preventable deaths in care homes
- Discharges, PPE failure and visitation bans under scrutiny
- Matt Hancock and DHSC leadership heavily criticised
📰 The Guardian summarises inquiry findings
⚖️ Care Home Fined After Resident Found Dead in Car Park
Chester Park Care Home in Glasgow has been fined £53,750 after 77-year-old Hugh Kearins, who had dementia, died outside the building after staff failed to monitor him properly.
- Mr Kearins left the home unnoticed through a fire door on Boxing Day 2022
- His body was found six hours later; two carers falsified hourly check records
- The provider admitted health and safety failings, but was not held directly responsible for his death
- New alarm systems and exit protocols have since been introduced
📰 Read the full story on the BBC
🧺 Raffle Prizes Stolen from Care Home Fundraiser
Thieves broke into Haven Court in South Shields, stealing donated raffle prizes intended to fund outings and treats for residents.
- Window smashed and office entered overnight on 17 July
- Prizes were for a raffle supporting entertainment and activities
- Staff, local shops, and the NHS Trust’s charity have begun replacing the items
- Police investigation ongoing — no arrests have been made
📰 Read the full story on the BBC
⚖️ Inquest Opens into Care Home Push Death
The inquest is underway into the death of 77-year-old Margaret Medlicott, who died after being pushed by another resident at Haresbrook Park Care Home during the early Covid pandemic.
- Both residents had dementia; no criminal charges were brought
- The inquest will examine hospital discharge processes under the “discharge-to-assess” model
- Ms Medlicott’s family say they were excluded from care planning decisions
- Case highlights risks linked to rapid pandemic-era discharges
📰 Read the full story on the BBC
🚫 Nurse Suspended for Dishonesty and Care Failings at Glasgow Home
A nurse has been suspended for six months after locking residents in their rooms and attempting to cover up serious errors at Oakbridge Care Home in Knightswood, Glasgow.
- A resident with a suspected fracture was not assessed or helped properly
- Colleagues were asked to give a “misleading impression” of the incident
- The Nursing and Midwifery Council found the dishonesty “extremely serious”
- Suspension imposed with review; previous good conduct acknowledged
📰 Read the full story on the BBC
🎨 Care Home Residents Exhibit Artwork at Barnsley Town Hall
Residents of Deangate Care Home in Barnsley have had their art displayed in a public exhibition, showing that creativity doesn’t stop with age or illness.
- Photographer Peter Hardy (76) and painter Patricia Wroe (89) had their work unveiled at the Experience Barnsley Museum
- Both doubted their talent but the showcase drew praise and recognition
- Events organiser Rachael Addy said the exhibition breaks care home stereotypes
- The Mayor of Barnsley and local artist Charlotte Fairclough attended the launch
📰 Read the full story on the BBC
🚓 Two Women Dead After Stolen Car Crashes Into Care Home
Two men have appeared in court after a stolen BMW crashed into Highcliffe Care Home in Sunderland, leaving two elderly residents dead and several others injured.
- Residents in their 80s and 90s died the day after the crash — investigation ongoing
- Eight residents were hospitalised; one suffered spinal fractures
- The car had been stolen during a test drive, with the seller reportedly kidnapped
- Police pursuit led to the crash; case referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct
📰 Read the full story on the BBC
💷 Care Home Owner Owed £100k by Council Amid Payment Delays
Elizabeth Stephens, owner of Bernadette House in Lincoln, says delays in receiving payment from Lincolnshire County Council have left her care home owed up to £100,000 — forcing cutbacks.
- Payments date back nearly a year, affecting care home renovations and finances
- Stephens says the council’s payment systems “seem to be breaking down”
- Council admits delays due to volume but says it is working to resolve the backlog
- Bernadette House specialises in dementia care
📰 Read the full story on the BBC
💡 New NHS 10-Year Plan Promotes Care Collaboration
The government’s 10-year health strategy outlines a new “Neighbourhood Health Service” and closer NHS–social care integration.
- Focus on prevention, digital care, and community support
- Social care sector cautiously optimistic
- Delayed discharge crisis named as key priority
📰 Read the full NHS plan on gov.uk
⏳ Government Accused of ‘Sitting On’ Critical LeDeR Report
Campaigners and bereaved families say the government is withholding the annual Learning from Lives and Deaths (LeDeR) report—relating to deaths of autistic people and adults with learning disabilities—and is delaying vital findings.
- The long-awaited 2023 LeDeR report was submitted in December and reportedly finalized in June, but remains unpublished
- Ministers, families, and campaigners call the delay “appalling” and demand immediate release or a clear explanation
- The delay raises concerns the report contains politically sensitive insights or that the issue is not being taken seriously by policymakers
- Government officials cite “practical data issues” and say the report will be released after Parliament’s summer recess, while committing again to improvements in care through training frameworks
📰 Read the coverage on ITV News
💔 Child Poverty Warning from Public Health Leaders
Public health bodies warn child poverty is escalating and will worsen demand on health and care services if left unchecked.
- Linked to long-term social care need and inequality
- Call for cross-government intervention
- Politicians urged to prioritise child wellbeing
📰 Read the statement via Public Health Scotland
👶 Children’s Social Care Reforms Called ‘Over-Ambitious’
The Department for Education has pledged £500m/year to redesign children’s social care — but professionals say the plans are unrealistic and high-risk.
- Multi-agency family help teams at the heart of reform
- Concerns raised about workload and workforce capability
- MPs call for clearer safeguarding responsibilities
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