The Independent Health and Care Providers (IHCP) has called for measures outlined by the Minister of Health to be translated into practical action after he set out plans to improve recruitment and retention in rural domiciliary care services.
Responding to an Assembly Question from DUP MLA Diane Forsythe, Minister Mike Nesbitt stated that workforce sustainability remains a key priority. He outlined plans to improve job quality, strengthen career pathways, explore practical measures to support provision in hard-to-cover areas, introduce a more consistent commissioning approach and improve integration between Health and Social Care Trusts, independent providers and community services. He also reiterated his commitment to introducing the Real Living Wage for social care workers.
IHCP Chief Executive Pauline Shepherd said the Minister’s response reflected many of the issues independent providers have consistently highlighted.
“The Minister’s response recognises many of the challenges providers have been raising for years, particularly the difficulties of recruiting and retaining staff in rural communities.
“It is encouraging to see a clear commitment to strengthening partnership working between Health and Social Care Trusts, independent providers and community services, alongside plans for more consistent commissioning. These are all important steps towards building a more sustainable social care system.”
Ms Shepherd said the priority must now be implementation.
“The Minister has set out an ambitious direction of travel. The challenge now is turning those commitments into practical change for providers on the ground. Recruitment will not improve through strategy alone. Providers need sustainable commissioning, fair funding and the confidence to invest in the workforce for the long term.
“Independent providers already deliver the vast majority of domiciliary care across Northern Ireland. Without a sustainable independent sector, it will simply not be possible to meet growing demand, particularly in rural communities. Investing in that workforce is therefore an investment in the resilience and sustainability of the entire health and social care system.”