Hannah Blythyn, MS for Delyn, has welcomed the Health Minister’s announcement of £22.7m in extra funding to help meet the additional costs adult social care providers are incurring as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In April, Flintshire County Council and other local authorities across Wales, received a share of a £40 million fund from the Welsh Government to support expected additional costs in the adult social care sector.

Hannah Blythyn MS said:

“Recent months have shown the important role that adult social care has provided to some of our most vulnerable people,  whether in domestic or residential settings.

 

It is only right that they have the support and recognition that they need and deserve.”

Vaughan Gething MS, Minister for Health and Social Services, said:

“Social care plays a vital role in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and has been on the front line in our effort across public services to meet the challenges posed by Covid-19.

 

“The initial payment of £40m helped the sector meet the rising costs incurred during the pandemic in areas such as staffing, increased infection control, higher food prices and greater use of ICT to keep families in touch with their loved ones where they were no longer able to meet.

 

“This further funding will ensure adult social care providers can maintain their vital care in what continues to be challenging circumstances.”

 

This is particularly so in the case of care homes, who are now also facing financial challenges through loss of income as a result of increased vacancies in their homes due to the need to restrict new admissions to contain the virus.

The funding will be made available immediately and continue until the end of September after which the situation will be reviewed again.

The MS for Delyn recently wrote to all care homes in the constituency, asking for their experiences over recent months and offering to visit the care homes at a time where it is safe to do so.