Gosport MP, who was the Minister of State for two years, has welcomed a new dedicated social care app launched by the Department of Health and Social Care this week.
The Care Workforce app aims to support staff during the Covid-19 pandemic, it will provide a single digital hub for adult social care workers to access updates, advice, information, support and discounts. Support offered includes mental health and wellbeing toolkits. All 1.5 million care workers across over 18 000 care providers will be able to access the resource.
The app will be introduced under the new Care brand, launched by Health Secretary Matt Hancock last month, which was created after calls from the care sector for a more unified workforce. It can be downloaded from both Apple and Andriod phones or accessed from any browser.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:
“Our incredible social care workforce are on the frontline day and night providing quality care to the most vulnerable in our society during the most unprecedented time in our history. The whole country is incredibly grateful of the work they continue to do for our loved ones.
“As part of our continued work to back the care sector, we have launched a new app specifically for care workers to make sure they have the most up-to-date guidance to keep them safe, connected with their colleagues across the country, which also allows them to access discounts like their NHS counterparts.
“It’s available to download right now, and I would urge everyone in social care to do so.”
Helen Whately, Minister of State for Care, commented:
“The care sector is a vital part of our health and care frontline and this pandemic has shone a light on the skills, commitment and dedication of our care workers.
“The Care Workforce app is there to help those frontline care workers ‒ from providing the latest news and guidance, to sharing stories to draw inspiration from in challenging times, and as a way of connecting colleagues from Cornwall to Carlisle. I hope it will help unite people working in care across the country.
“The care workforce have long asked for a single, unifying brand to connect them to each other and I am delighted that we are able today to launch this important new tool under the CARE umbrella.”
Concerns have been raised about the impact of Covid-19 on care homes, where the elderly and vulnerable population are at greater risk of serious complications. The Government has made an extra £3.2 billion to local authorities to address the additional pressures they face, including in social care. Social care staff and residents are now eligible for testing if symptomatic and care homes and are providing new ways for homes to order PPE, with millions of items being delivered so far.
Local MP, Caroline Dinenage, commented:
“I had the privileged of working with the adult social care sector for over two years during my time as Care Minister.
“There are so many unsung heroes that work in and out of care homes, but often are not linked to the support or help they need. The CARE brand is hugely important to create not only a care community, but ensure that resources are joined and readily available.
“This app is a big step to ensuring that carers can access what they need, quickly and on the go – from mental health resources to infection control guidance.”
A similar app for NHS staff is also being considered.