Over the past few months, care providers across the country have campaigned vigorously to persuade the government to exclude care sector from the National Insurance (NI) increase—similar to what was done for the NHS. I fully supported that campaign. From my perspective, the decision to move forward with the increase was unwise. It will have a ripple effect not only on care providers but also on businesses across the board—and ultimately, on the very workers the government claims to be supporting.
Unfortunately, the campaign did not succeed. The government went ahead with the increase, and the change is now in effect.
I have noticed that many providers are still expressing frustration over this decision. While this frustration is understandable given the pressure we are under, it's important to recognise that dwelling on this issue can drain our energy, harm our morale, and negatively affect those we lead. As Registered Managers, directors or business owners, we set the tone for our teams. Negativity can spread quickly, undermining the very culture we strive to create.
That is why it is crucial for us to focus on what is within our control. Here are some practical steps we can take:
- Communicate clearly and honestly with your staff and clients about the impact of this change. Transparency builds trust.
- Reaffirm your commitment to providing safe, high-quality care. Let people know you're actively working to protect the service they rely on.
- Review your pricing. It might be time to adjust to reflect the new cost realities.
- Look at operational efficiencies. PPE is an area where care providers spend heavily. The high use of PPE does not necessarily mean practices are safer. Are PPE being used appropriately and efficiently? Are there safer, more cost-effective ways to manage them?
- Rethink recruitment. Turnover is expensive. Could you enhance your referral program? What about better onboarding or retention practices?
- Rethink your training programme. Training is costly. Could you enhance your training program? For instance, consider implementing a train-the-trainer program for areas such as manual handling and medication management.
- Audit your systems. Many providers use too many tools that don’t talk to each other. A streamlined, user-friendly system could save time, money, and headaches.
- Optimise management of payables and receivables. Is finance managed with discipline in your service? Are invoices generated correctly and on time? You might be losing a significant amount of money due to disorganised processes and procedures. A good care management system can help improve this substantially. For example, do you ensure that you raise invoices for any extra minutes or hours your care team works?
As care leaders, we’ll always face decisions we disagree with. What matters is how we respond. Let’s stay focused, stay positive, and stay proactive.
