Social care providers are set to receive an additional £546m funding to bolster infection control measures and help protect residents and staff from coronavirus throughout the winter period.
The Infection Control Fund, which was established in May, has now been extended until March 2021 to help care providers restrict the movement of staff between care homes and stop the spread of the virus.
Additional funding will see the fund able to continue to help care providers pay staff full wages when they are self-isolating, reducing the risk of staff coming in early after a quarantine period, as well as enabling staff to work in only one care home.
This brings the total funding allocated by the UK Government for infection control measures in care homes to over £1.1bn and underlines the government’s commitment to ensure adult social care has the resources it needs to keep residents and staff as safe as possible.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock said: “From the very beginning we have done everything possible to make sure our social care system is protected and has the resources it needs to keep our brilliant workforce and those they care for safe.
“This new funding of over half a billion pounds will support not only care home residents, but also some of the most vulnerable in society living at home and in supported living.
“I know this will give peace of mind to so many, and we will set out further detail in our Adult Social Care Winter Plan this week.”
Minister for Care, Helen Whately added: “I know just how hard social care staff have been working over the last 6 months to provide compassionate care for our loved ones and keep them safe in the face of this global threat.
“I am committed to ensuring the social care system has everything they need for the winter months ahead.
“Today we have set out additional funding to bolster infection prevention and protect our loved ones receiving care.”
