Government announces 7.4% increase in funding for nursing in care homes from April 2024
The increase in funding for nursing care in care homes has been welcomed by leaders in the sector, with Care England describing it as a “win for the care sector”. The Department of Health and Social Care announced that the fee paid to care homes to fund nursing costs will rise by 7.4% from April 2024, with the standard weekly NHS-funded nursing care rate increasing to £235.88 and the higher rate rising to £324.50.
This increase follows previous rises of 5% in 2023 and 11.5% in 2022, showing a positive trend in supporting care home providers. Care England’s chief executive, Martin Green, emphasized the importance of ensuring that the funded nursing care rate reflects the true cost of providing nursing care, especially in light of the increasing complexity of needs met by residential care homes.
Green also highlighted the need to reward and recognize social care nurses, who have faced challenges in retention. Turnover rates for adult social care nurses have been high, but there has been a decrease in vacancy rates for registered nurses, showing some positive developments in the sector.
As the government continues to support the care sector with increased funding, there is a call for further review of the legal definition of funded nursing care to ensure it is fit for the future and adequately supports the needs of care home residents.