Comment


CARE HOME


ENVIRONMENT www.thecarehomeenvironment.com Editor


Mary-Louise Clews marylouiseclews@stepcomms.com


Business Manager Mike Gammon mikegammon@stepcomms.com


Journal Administration Katy Cockle


katycockle@stepcomms.com Design


Steven Dillon


Publisher Geoff King


geoffking@stepcomms.com


Publishing Director Trevor Moon


trevormoon@stepcomms.com


THE CARE HOME ENVIRONMENT is published monthly by Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1892 779999


Email: info@thecarehomeenvironment.com Web: www.thecarehomeenvironment.com


Time to tell what you really need


Mary-Louise Clews, Editor marylouiseclews@stepcomms.com


Although we haven’t had the Covid inquiry report on the pandemic’s impact on adult social care yet, I don’t think anyone would say they need a crystal ball to predict the likely verdict. Daily stories of mounting sickness and


worse, to the hard-hitting Channel 4 drama Help starring Jody Comer and Stephen Graham, meant the unimaginable pressure and horrifying toll the infection and official response to it put on care home residents, staff, families and loved ones and leaders was crystal clear even for those outside the sector – as I was at the time. This recent collective trauma is back on


ISSN NO. 2398-3280 ©2026 Step Communications


The Publisher is unable to take any responsibility for views expressed by contributors. Editorial views are not necessarily shared by the journal. Readers are expressly advised that while the contents of this publication are believed to be accurate, correct and complete, no reliance should be placed upon its contents as being applicable to any particular circumstances.


This publication is copyright under the Berne Convention and the International Copyright Convention. All rights reserved, apart from any copying under the UK Copyright Act 1956, part 1, section 7. Multiple copies of the contents of the publication without permission is always illegal.


the agenda before the inquiry module six report is released because the government has published its Pandemic strategy, including a pledge to ‘co-develop’ an adult social care ‘action plan’ by next year . The Department for Health and Social


Care said the action plan would look to fix issues that undermined the sector’s response in 2020, starting with ensuring funding and equipment can reach the provider frontline, and staff are prioritised for protection and immunisation. It’s unsurprising there was an initial muted


response on the ground. The announcement was light on detail and I’m not aware there’s any specific work going on yet with the sector to start turning words into meaningful action. However, The Care Home Environment


Follow our page on Linkedin May 2026 www.thecarehomeenvironment.com 5


has started to gather reaction – and it’s pretty damning so far. Speaking on behalf of care leaders, Care England chief executive Professor Sir Martin Green told me providers would face the next pandemic “with the same weaknesses” that undermined its response to Covid-19 unless the government stopped treating it like an “afterthought” and committed to “properly funding and consistently commissioning” services (see news, p9 for more). Professor Green went on to warn that


“preparedness cannot be delivered through plans alone.” He’s not wrong and the government’s apparent willingness to engage in co-producing a new plan would appear to be a golden opportunity for those on the frontline and their representatives to set out exactly what’s needed come the next pandemic. People in the sector don’t need to wait for


the official Covid inquiry report to know what happened and what’s needed – and Ministers’ pledge to create a plan -if taken seriously - would appear to be the best immediate chance to push for real change backed by funding as well as intent. We at TCHE want to play our part helping


to make sure all those who should have a role in the plan’s co-production have a voice. We see you, we appreciate you, and we want to help shine a light on what you need to provide the best care possible for our older and vulnerable citizens. Please get in touch. Thank you.


THE


Jacob Lund - stock.adobe.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40