The Latest Care News

The competition watchdog has opened an investigation into the affordability and availability of childcare in England. The Competition and Markets Authority’s review follows concerns that “too many families are struggling” with the system. The CMA says its analysis would pay particular attention to the role of government policy and public bodies. Childcare provision in England is worth approximately £14 billion to the economy annually, the watchdog believes.

The forced adoption of babies from unmarried mothers in the decades after the Second World War has been branded a “stain on our history” by Sir Keir Starmer. The prime minister has made a long-awaited state apology for the historical practice. It is believed an estimated 185,000 babies of unmarried mothers were adopted in England and Wales between 1949 and 1976. The Movement for an Adoption Apology said the statement recognised “lifelong trauma” endured by the mothers whose children were removed.

Health officials have issued yet another warning for hot weather in parts of the UK. The UK Health Security Agency says high temperatures from Saturday until Wednesday could cause a greater risk to life for vulnerable people. The ‘yellow’ heat health alert covers the East Midlands, all southern England, and the West Country. Health and social care services are likely to be under increased pressure.

The Education Secretary says schoolchildren could watch England’s early-morning World Cup match against Mexico on Monday and still make it to class that same day. Bridget Phillipson responded after head coach Thomas Tuchel said pupils should be allowed “an excuse for school” after the game. The minister added that it’s for parents to decide how they manage the situation, considering the age of the children concerned.

There's been a party at a care home in North Yorkshire, where one of its residents has turned 106. Hetty – who lives at the Boroughbridge Manor home celebrated with a champagne reception for friends, family and other residents – along with a telegram from the King. She worked as a chemist, before taking up war work – and has had a number of care roles during her long lifetime. Hetty told the Northern Echo that she can’t believe she’s 106, adding “Where have the years gone?!”

A free training programme has been launched by a healthcare provider in Devon to help young people into social care careers. It’s hoped to attract 16-24 year olds, while helping tackle staff shortages across the sector. The initiative, from Southern Healthcare, begins with an introductory webinar, giving an overview of the social care sector. Anyone wanting to continue, can move onto more in-depth training. It comes as “Skills for Care” says the sector recorded a 7 per cent vacancy rate in England – around three times higher than the wider economy.

The Children’s Commissioner has stressed that young people need to be listened to, as she highlights that children’s mental health referrals have exceeded a million. Dame Rachel de Souza has stressed, in her annual report, that the most common area of concern among schools and colleges is mental health services. The number of children with a referral has almost doubled since 2018 – which she described as a ‘crisis’. But the commissioner says she’s “optimistic” and that “we must seize the opportunity” to transform the situation based on the voices of young people.

Resident doctors in England have voted to accept a new offer from the government covering pay and jobs. Their union the British Medical Association called off a strike earlier this month to put the new offer to the members. The offer includes a 6.6 percent pay increase to be fully implemented by April next year, as well as four and a half thousand extra specialty training places over three years.

An 85-million-pound funding boost to tackle obesity has been announced. The Government says a dozen cutting-edge projects, focusing on new approaches to obesity, will benefit thousands of patients across the UK. Projects include development of new neighbourhood hubs, and AI-powered triage. In Kent, 3,000 families of young children – including during pregnancy – will get round-the-clock AI powered advice on healthy eating, activity, sleep and stress via WhatsApp. The funding is a combination of £50m from the Government, and the rest from the pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly.

Unpaid carers in North Yorkshire could receive more support as part of a new strategy to improve the lives of those who care for a friend or loved one. Caring for All is described as an all-age carers plan, and aims to provide more collaborative and accessible support, improve identification and recognition of unpaid carers and providing tailor-made support. A consultation will be taking place in August and September this year, and will include feedback from carers, professionals and the wider public.

Plans to increase the length of time that immigrant care workers must stay in the UK before they can qualify for permanent residence have been called cruel and unconscionable by workers rights campaigners. The government is planning to increase the period to 15 years, including for those who have already arrived. The head of social care at Unison has called the proposals a slap in the face for care workers who had come to this country only for the rules to be changed halfway through the game.

Official data is underestimating the number of unpaid carers in Southampton, according to a briefing given to city councillors. According to the most recent census, just over 18 thousand people in the city provide some level of unpaid care. However a senior council official has said the true figure will be higher. The city’s executive director of social care said that many people don’t identi fy as a carer. The council has been told it must improve how it engages with carers.

Six projects in Glasgow, including those who support unpaid carers, have been awarded a share of more than 2 million pounds. A group called Glasgow the Caring City has been awarded funding - it supports young disabled people who are starting in further education.Other schemes have benefitted from funding include Drumchapel LIFE, which teaches practical skills to promote mental health, and Men Matter Scotland.

Nearly 2000 people who were unknowingly living with HIV have been diagnosed by a pioneering NHS programme. As part of the programme, adults who have a blood test at A and E are routinely tested for the disease, alongside Hepatitis B and C, unless they specifically opt out. Health chiefs say that the scheme is reaching people who are unlikely to get routinely tested, as 93 percent of those diagnosed have never before had an HIV test.

The King’s Fund hɑs welcomed plɑns to extend Mɑrthɑ’s Rule to ɑll mɑternity settings in Englɑnd, sɑying it could help mɑke services sɑfer for mothers ɑnd bɑbies. The move forms pɑrt of the government’s response to the Ockenden Review into mɑternity cɑre fɑilings, where fɑmilies’ concerns were repeɑtedly ignored. Mɑrthɑ’s Rule ɑllows pɑtients ɑnd fɑmilies to request ɑn urgent second clinicɑl opinion if they’re worried ɑbout ɑ pɑtient’s condition.

The heɑd of the Cɑsey Commission sɑys sociɑl cɑre reforms could be brought forwɑrd if progress cɑn be mɑde sooner thɑn plɑnned. Bɑroness Cɑsey told MPs thɑt while her finɑl report is due in 2028, ministers ɑre keen to introduce chɑnges wherever possible ɑlong the wɑy. The comments come ɑfter Andy Burnhɑm, who is seeking to replɑce Prime Minister Keir Stɑrmer, sɑid he would overhɑul the sociɑl cɑre system this yeɑr. A public consultɑtion on the future of sociɑl cɑre will lɑunch next month, covering issues including funding, entitlement ɑnd ɑssessments.