Results from the UKHCA YouGov Survey

Ahead of the Government Spending Review, UKHCA commissioned a YouGov survey. The survey highlighted the public’s desire to receive care in their home, with 92% of the respondents aged 65 years and older agreeing that people would prefer to be supported at home, rather than in a care home setting.

Ahead of the Government Spending Review, UKHCA commissioned a YouGov survey. The survey highlighted the public’s desire to receive care in their home, with 92% of the respondents aged 65 years and older agreeing that people would prefer to be supported at home, rather than in a care home setting.

This view was also echoed by MPs, with 87% of respondents across all parties agreeing with the homecare being the people’s choice, when compared to a care home.

This is not surprising when you look at the recent Live-in Care Hub report which analysed the impact  the recent pandemic has had on care home residents compared to the live-in care industry. This report highlights live-in care  as a safer option of care. You are able to read The Good Care Group’s response to the Live-in Care Hub report here.

UKHCA is now calling for the Chancellor of the Exchequer to recognise the public’s overwhelming desire to receive care from the comfort of their own home and to provide sufficient funding for homecare services in the spending review.

There are currently more than 1 million care and support visits taking place across England every day. UKHCA estimate that the homecare sector requires an additional £1.4 billion, on top of any funding increase the Chancellor may make to the National Minimum Wage and the additional COVID-19 related costs.

UKHCA stress that homecare services have played a significant role in supporting the NHS throughout the pandemic, ensuring that people are able to receive care from within their home. It is argued that the Chancellor needs to recognise the vital support the homecare industry has provided the NHS and in reflection of this review the Government’s funding.

UKHCA’s Chief Executive, Dr Jane Townson, commented;

“All of us want to live well at home and flourish within our communities. Supporting people at home benefits individuals as well as their wider community of family, friends and neighbours and reduces cost and demand for the NHS.

“UKHCA’s research on the way that councils and the NHS purchase homecare has exposed gross inequalities across the country. Typically, areas with the highest deprivation invest the lowest amounts in supporting people to stay well at home. If this government is serious about “levelling up”, the Chancellor must invest in homecare.

“Health and wealth are interdependent and homecare services are thus a vital part of the foundation economy, as well as providing 715,000 jobs.”