How does social care bounce back from COVID-19?

Webinar summary by the Care England Policy Team. |

BDO Not for Profit held a webinar titled ‘How does social care bounce back from COVID-19?’ on Wednesday 14th October. The session was chaired by Helen O’Kane, Partner in BDO’s market-leading Healthcare M&A team, and the panel contained four speakers. Avnish Goyal, Chair of Care England and Chair of Hallmark Homes, Nic Lowry, a Senior Investment Manager at Moorfield, Mitesh Shanak, founder of Precious Homes, and Tom Lyons, Managing Director of Black Swan Care Group.

Webinar summary by the Care England Policy Team

BDO Not for Profit held a webinar titled ‘How does social care bounce back from COVID-19?’ on Wednesday 14th October. The session was chaired by Helen O’Kane, Partner in BDO’s market-leading Healthcare M&A team, and the panel contained four speakers. Avnish Goyal, Chair of Care England and Chair of Hallmark Homes, Nic Lowry, a Senior Investment Manager at Moorfield, Mitesh Shanak, founder of Precious Homes, and Tom Lyons, Managing Director of Black Swan Care Group.

How do we grow occupancy back to pre-COVID-19 levels?
There has been a shift in the marketing of care homes. Pre-COVID-19, care homes were all about luxury and lifestyle but now are about safety and keeping loved ones safe. There needs to be clear guidance from the Government on visiting to regain the public trust so that occupancy levels can grow again.

Will investors (REITs / PE) be reconsidering their long-term investment in private pay care homes and/or specialist care?
Just as many sectors have been hit by coronavirus, the care sector also suffered. However, it has proven to be very resilient throughout the pandemic and is here to stay. There may be a short-term readjustment, it is a safer investment option in the long run.

Given some of the adverse publicity surrounding care homes, how do we continue public education of the role of adult social care?
The difference between the public view of nurses and doctors to care workers is unfair and needs to change. Ways to fix these issues included: further lobbying of the Government, integration and joining the brands of the NHS and social care together, educating the public on what happens in care homes.

How do we continue to capture and galvanise public solidarity with social care (important to ensure that it remains a spending priority)?
Charities such as Championing Social Care (CSS) help promote and deliver positive stories about care workers, so that they are held in the same regards as NHS staff. The importance of joining a trade association was also highlighted as they help raise the profile for the care sector.

Questions from the audience

These questions asked the panel about the Capital Expenditure on estates and how will support for this be continued.

The issue of the lack of funding was raised again as well as having refurb teams at the ready, but unable to access care homes due to restrictions. It was emphasised that the short term will be challenging, but improving and refurbishing estates is vital for the long-term.

Question on how the pandemic has changed workforce strategy.
Providers still prefer not to use agency due to costs and that they have been known to transmit COVID-19. There is a sector issue around retention that needs to be addressed.

Question on specialist care referrals and the problem of referrals without a face visit.
Commissioners are recognising the problem and they are adapting. The use of virtual and video tours are important in helping people get comfortable to the environment.

If members would like more information about the webinar, please contact  Info@careengland.org.uk