350,000 new carers needed to hit safe staffing levels

The UK needs more than 350,000 new care workers to hit international safe staffing levels, GMB conference will heard today [Tuesday].

GMB Union will move a motion calling for safe staffing levels in care homes to be enshrined in law.

The UK currently has no legal minimum for care work but other countries - such as Japan and Finland – enforce as much as three service users for each carer.

For this country to hit this 3:1 ratio would require more than 350,000 new carers, according to GMB analysis.

Jo Pitchford, GMB Bolton Care Branch Secretary will tell Labour

“The UK is still in the midst of a crushing care crisis, with a staffing vacancy black hole of more than 131,000 and care worker pay just pennies above the minimum wage. 

“Two-thirds of care workers have told GMB they cannot continue working until retirement

“Inadequate and poorly followed guidance on staffing levels leave overworked and underpaid carers suffering attacks and fatigue alone.

“For the UK not to have legal safe staffing levels in care is a scandalous dereliction of duty to both care workers and our loved ones they care for.

“But for us to hit the safe staffing levels mandated by other countries, we need more than 350,000 new care workers.

“That will never happen unless we raise care worker wages above the poverty pay they suffer today.”