Almost every care home in the country is now being hit by the staffing crisis as exhausted and underpaid workers quit in their droves.
As 97% of care workers say their homes have shortages, one in three report staffing levels are “dangerously low” – and getting worse.
One warned: “The dying are not dying with dignity as there’s not enough staff to sit with them in their final hours.”
The findings by union Unison come days before 60,000 workers face being sacked for refusing Covid jabs – on top of the 120,000 current vacancies.
They were released in support of our Stop The Care Crisis campaign to halt the collapse of social care in Britain.
Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Care workers are burnt out from the pandemic, exhausted from covering gaps and fed up with low wages.
“Tens of thousands could lose their jobs this week because of the ‘no jab, no job’ rule. This is nothing short of a nightmare.”
We have told previously how homes are having to either move residents out or close altogether as staff quit to work as delivery drivers or in supermarkets.
In the Unison poll held over the last three weeks, fewer than one per cent described their care home’s situation as “fine”.
Eight in 10 said staffing levels were negatively impacting care. And more than two-thirds said they may quit altogether.
One said: “Everyone is tired and fed up. Care is awful, no time for nail care, proper washing, or having a chat with the residents.”
Another warned: “Everyone is mentally and physically exhausted.”
The “no jab, no job” rule from Thursday this week will leave 10% of the 600,000 care workers facing the sack.
A similar rule in the NHS will not start before next spring.
Mike Padgham, who runs four St Cecilia homes in north Yorkshire, said: “It doesn't seem logical. Why do one, and the other six months later?
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“They need to change their minds before we head for disaster. The risk from too few staff is as high as from non-vaccinated staff.
“Why not delay so we at least get through the winter?”
Our campaign demands an immediate review into pay, a register for care in England like in the rest of the UK, adding care to the Shortage Occupation list to help recruiting migrant workers and an end to unpaid travel time for all care workers.
