Increased funding for nursing in care homes | QCS

Increased funding for nursing in care homes

Dementia Care
May 24, 2022

The Government has announced increased funding for nursing in care homes.

Key points for you to know 

  • Rate paid to care homes for NHS-funded nursing care has risen by 11.5% for 2022 to 2023
  • Providers to receive retrospective uplift of extra £87 million for nursing care during the pandemic in 2021 to 2022
  • Additional funding to support tens of thousands of residents with a variety of care needs, reducing pressures on hospitals as the NHS works to tackle the COVID-19 (coronavirus) backlog

The move will support tens of thousands of care home residents with nursing needs, including those with learning and physical disabilities, with an 11.5% increase in 2022 to 2023 and an estimated £87 million backdated for 2021 to 2022.

The standard weekly rate per person provided for NHS-funded nursing care has increased by 11.5% from £187.60 to £209.19 for 2022 to 2023 and will be backdated to 1 April 2022, the government has announced.

In recognition of the additional time and work provided by nurses in care homes during the pandemic, a retrospective uplift on the 2021 to 2022 rate has also been applied providing an estimated additional £87 million to the sector.

Funding paid directly to care homes

 The funding is paid by the NHS directly to care homes who employ registered nurses. This allows care home residents with specific healthcare needs to benefit from direct nursing care and services.

The additional funds will help cover the costs of nursing care and support the staff that provide it, ensuring the vital service can continue to support the needs of residents and all those who rely on it.

Providing nursing care within care homes also helps to reduce the pressure on hospitals where the government’s record funding can be used to help clear the COVID-19 backlog.

Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, Deborah Sturdy, said “Nurses across social care play an essential role in delivering high-quality, complex care to those who require the skills and expertise of registered nurses.”

This funding is vital to supporting their role in planning and providing care.

What does this mean for you?

The retrospective COVID-19 uplift provides additional payments of £21.93 per resident per week for 2021 to 2022, she explained.

Before 2007, there were 3 rates for NHS-funded nursing care based on need. After 2007, a single rate was introduced with the higher rate remaining for those who were already on this rate before 2007.

For those on the higher band, the retrospective increase for 2021 to 2022 will mean an extra £30.17 per resident per week. The higher band rate for 2022 to 2023, with the increase, will be £287.78 per week.

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