Staff shortages ‘causing neglect in care homes'

CARE home residents are dying alone and their everyday needs are being “neglected because staffing levels are at such a 'dangerously low level, research suggests.

People in residential care are being denied a dignified end to their lives as there are not enough staff to sit with them during their final hours, according to a survey by Unison.

The union found that 31% of care workers said that staffing levels are dangerously low, getting worse and negatively affecting care quality, which is leaving carers feeling “exhausted, angry and upset.

And two thirds (67%) are considering leaving the sector, which Unison says is a disastrous but inevitable consequence of years of low wages and morale and underfunding.

The union surveyed 1,637 employees in England, Wales and Northern Ireland between October 13 and November 4 who work in care homes, or help people at home or in supported living.