In a meeting with officers from the Isle of Wight council, the Isle of Wight Care Partnership, a group representing local care providers, discussed the council’s newly proposed fee uplift for care services. Despite the council’s proposal to increase their initial fee offer from 5% to 6.5%, the Partnership maintains that this figure falls substantially short of what the sector needs.
The Care Partnership remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring fair and adequate funding for care providers. The proposed 6.5% increase does not align with the real cost increases care providers are facing, particularly in light of ongoing challenges such as the National Living Wage rise, other operational cost increases and the need to support investment in the quality and capacity of services.
Bennett: The proposed rate remains inadequate
Ian Bennett, Residential Director of the Isle of Wight Care Partnership, expressed disappointment, stating,
“The care sector on the Isle of Wight is grappling with severe financial pressures.
“While we acknowledge the council’s efforts to provide an additional uplift, the proposed rate remains inadequate to meet the escalating costs of providing quality care.”
Repercussions of continued underfunding
The Partnership is acutely aware of the potential repercussions of continued underfunding, including the risk to the availability of care beds and the broader impact on the Island’s health and social care system.
In light of these concerns, the Care Partnership is calling for members of the Isle of Wight council to revisit the uplift proposal and work collaboratively towards a solution that reflects the true cost of care and supports the sector’s sustainability.
Share concerns with MP and cabinet member
As the Isle of Wight Care Partnership prepares to outline its concerns to the Cabinet Member for Social Care, Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Health and Social Care and Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Bob Seely, it extends its gratitude to its members for their active engagement and contributions to this critical issue.
The Partnership urges all members to continue voicing their concerns and providing evidence to support the case for a more substantial uplift.
Advocate for the interests of care providers
The Isle of Wight Care Partnership remains dedicated to advocating for the interests of care providers and ensuring the residents of the Isle receive the quality of care they deserve.
The organisation looks forward to constructive discussions with the council, aiming to secure a fair and sustainable future for the care sector on the Island.
News shared by Ian Bennett, Managing Director of Island Healthcare, Ed
