Hertfordshire County Council Unveils Care Homes Commissioning Strategy for Older People

As the UK's population continues to age, Hertfordshire County Council's draft "Care Homes Commissioning Strategy for Older People" aims to address the challenges of caring for an increasingly older population, tackling issues such as affordable care options, dementia care, and a shortage of skilled care workers. The five-year strategy prioritizes improving the experiences of people living with dementia, addressing an "education gap" in care homes, and providing favorable working conditions to attract more care workers to the industry.

Key Takeaways:

• The council's adult care services have developed a five-year strategy to tackle the challenges of caring for an increasingly older population, with priorities including affordable care options, dementia care, and a shortage of skilled care workers.
• The strategy aims to improve the experiences of people living with dementia, address an "education gap" in care homes, and provide favorable working conditions to attract more care workers to the industry.
• Commissioners from the council's adult care services have identified the need for more care workers, citing a "significant and sustained increase" in the number of older people and a "lack of affordable care options."
• A report on the strategy cited an inspection of the council's care services, which rated it "Good" overall, with its sub-category for partnerships achieving an "Outstanding" rating.
• The council has partnered with Herts Care Providers Association (HCPA) to establish a specialist dementia training course for care home settings.
• Cllr Rachel Carter (Green, Hertford Castle) raised concerns about attracting and retaining care workers, citing the need for more people with the right level of training.
• Kristian Tizzard, deputy head of service at the council's integrated accommodation commissioning, highlighted the council's efforts to work closely with providers to ensure favorable working conditions and compliance with future legislation.
• The council recognised the challenge of nurse recruitment, citing 40,000 nurse vacancies nationally, and the need to ensure that care homes can successfully recruit nurses.

Statistics:

• The council's residential and nursing care commissioning for older people totals £110.7m for 2025/26.
• The council has implemented a 10-year variation to the Quantum Care contract, which has brought forward benefits including the supply of over 500 residential and nursing beds, improved access routes to care, and savings on bed costs.

Sources:

• Stewart Carr, "Hertfordshire County Council Unveils Care Homes Commissioning Strategy for Older People" (Hertfordshire Times, 23 October 2022)
• Councillors of Hertfordshire County Council, Meeting of Adult Care Services Cabinet Panel (23 October 2022)
• Care Quality Commission, Inspection Report (no date)