The NHS and Social Care is under attack!
The Liberal Democrats are calling for a higher minimum wage for care workers in Norfolk, to tackle chronic staff shortages in social care.
It comes as the latest figures reveal Norfolk has 2,000 job vacancies in the social care sector, meaning there is a vacancy rate of around 8.5%.
These chronic staff shortages are leading to patients being left stuck in hospitals waiting for social care, contributing to record-breaking waits in A&E and dangerous ambulance delays.
Under the Liberal Democrat plans, social care workers would be paid at least £2 an hour more than the current minimum wage, bringing their pay up to at least £11.50 an hour today - and £12.42 from this April. The proposals would benefit up to 22,000 people working in the social care sector in Norfolk.
Commenting, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Gaywood North & Central, David Sayers said:
"The social care crisis is having a devastating impact on vulnerable people's wellbeing, and contributing to record long waits at A&E and terrible ambulance delays in our area.
"Too many people in Norfolk are stranded in hospital beds because there simply aren't enough care workers to look after them at home or in a care home. The Conservatives have been running the NHS into the ground for years and patients are paying the price, with 42,700 A&E patients waiting more than 12 hours from decision to admit to admission in January and ambulance response times in January 2023 met none of their targets.
"The Government needs to get a grip and fix our NHS and social care services. They can start by paying our carers a proper wage to stop the exodus of workers leaving for better paid work in supermarkets and warehouses.
"The first step to fixing this mess is to pay those working in social care more, to prevent the exodus of workers to supermarkets and other better paid jobs. I have seen first-hand the incredible job that care workers do day in and day out. This is a skilled and crucial job and it should be paid more."
Commenting, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey added:
"It is heart-breaking that millions of elderly and vulnerable people across the country are struggling to get the care they need and deserve. Our NHS is collapsing and social care is completely broken after years of broken Conservative promises.
"The Conservatives' neglect of social care services has caused an exodus of staff to better paying jobs. Our plan for a Carer's Minimum Wage would tackle these chronic staff shortages in social care, and help take pressure off the NHS."