FEATURE
Diversify to Stay Financially Viable, Says DE Healthcare
Tracey Fletcher, Managing Director at DE Healthcare, a provider of specialist care services for people with learning disabilities, explains why healthcare organisations in the UK need to diversify their revenue streams, and the sector must improve its reputation, in order to overcome the challenges.
In recent years, UK care providers have faced a myriad of different pressures and challenges but new figures have now indicated that more than a quarter of care homes are at risk of closure in the next three years because they are struggling to cope with significant debts.
As an industry, the priority that unifies us is our commitment to support people in our care and we devote our time to improving the lives of some of the most vulnerable members of society. However, we are now at a point where 5,000 homes face closure, leaving many of the people who need vital care most at risk.
Changes in regulation and funding have undeniably added to the frustrations of providers and a longer life spans mean that by 2018 there will be 2.9 million people in the UK living with a long-term health condition. As the number of people requiring care continues to grow, we must adapt our service offering as we take on more fluid, non-traditional roles, remoulding the industry as a whole.
As a family-run care provider that operates a range of care facilities for people with complex learning disabilities in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, DE Healthcare have provided extra services for vulnerable adults and their families, and marketed themselves directly to them, rather than the local authority.
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DE Healthcare has introduced a community-based facility, The Hub, which caters to people with complex learning disabilities. The activities held within The Hub, are led by the interests and aspirations of its users and it provides a vibrant, welcoming, safe space where vulnerable adults can work with our carers towards achieving important life skills, as well as building relationships and pursuing interests and sharing experiences.
A crucial component in maintaining a high quality of care and introducing new services, is encouraging and investing in a skilled and dedicated workforce. With many care providers facing significant debts, and many struggling to offer the living wage, highlighting the benefits of working for an organisation is the minimum that should be happening. In order to continue to attract devoted, skilled carers, care providers must diversify the way they inspire, invest in and even reward their hardworking staff. Care organisations that offer employees the opportunity to receive ongoing training, career opportunities and progression, internal and external recognition or even personal gestures such as an additional holiday on their birthday, are most likely to secure the best employees hoping to go above and beyond to provide quality care.
Undoubtedly, the care sector provides one of the most fundamental and
vital lifeline to vulnerable people in our communities. Despite financial challenges in the sector, many care providers are determined to stay buoyant and sustainable – largely by adapting their service offering, incorporating facilities that go above and beyond a basic care package. It goes without saying that individual organisations should be striving for quality care, but if we are going to flourish as a sector in cash terms and overcome the current challenges, we must also improve the reputation of the industry as a whole. If we want service users to choose us as providers, then are we marketing to them in the right way and are we offering as much as we can?
If we want to attract new workers into the sector, then we need to start providing the media with positive stories, of which there are many. We know that standards are improving as findings from the Care Quality Commission revealed that nearly three quarters of care homes that were rated in adequate two years ago showed significant improvements. However, we now need to see more improvements across the industry to generate good news. As care providers we need to share best practice and declare our care-users’ successes and triumphs with cohesive case studies and transparent results.
www.dehealthcare.co.uk www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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