December 19th 2024
The Government has announced its provisional local government finance settlement – including funding for adult social care. Digital Care Hub welcomes the additional funding for councils, but emphasises that continuing pressures are likely to have a major impact on digitisation and the benefits it can bring.
Speaking about the announcement, Digital Care Hub Director, Michelle Corrigan, said:
“Any extra funding is, of course, welcome – but every analysis indicates that workforce costs, in particular the increase in employers’ National Insurance Contributions, will still push many care providers to the brink of collapse.
“We know that 75% of providers are considering reducing or stopping digital developments primarily because of workforce costs. But safe, digitalisation is a modern business necessity. As we have said before, it is virtually impossible for care providers to operate in the modern world without digital record systems that integrate well with hospitals, social services, GPs, pharmacists and other care and health partners. It’s an essential business expense which must be built into funding calculations.”
The Government is consulting on the provisional settlement. The deadline for responses is 15 January 2025.
Related links
Digital Care Hub press release: 75% of care providers will “reduce or stop digital transformation”
Local Government Association briefing
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