Mike Padgham on BBC Breakfast this morning

iCG Honorary President Mike Padgham appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning giving the care home perspective on Health Secretary Wes Streeting's concern about the pressure facing the NHS with rising cases of flu across the UK.

See part of the interview here: https://x.com/BBCBreakfast/status/1999370868581867555

'Super Flu' - iCG calls for a collaborative approach across the sector

Flu and winter pressures hit health & social care the hardest at this time of year, especially in Emergency Departments.  The Independent Care Group (iCG) is calling for a collaborative approach across the sector and if necessary, to provide mutual aid in the event of a severe crisis.

A spokesperson from City of York Council has said  “From a Social Care perspective, we are working with health partners to support in any we can. This includes supporting with discharge to ensure flow remains in the system. There are several schemes across partner organisations that are also contributing to alleviating system pressures including things like rapid assessment in emergency departments to ensure only those who need it are admitted, extra discharge support services which support with discharge from hospital and the York Frailty Hub which has several arms delivering prevention and early intervention to try and capture people before they may need to access other services.

From a City of York perspective, we would always offer support to the broader system and enter any discussions around mutual aid or other support. The system has a multi-agency escalation process that brings together partners from across the system that meet daily so there is always full awareness and oversight of any specific challenges with partners able to ask for support/offer mutual aid etc. This system works extremely well and ensures we are working in a proactive way wherever possible.”

Chief Executive of the iCG John Pattinson said “we welcome the support of the wider system and the collaborative approach to ensure that those who need services will continue to receive them.  The independent social care network is a resilient one, but we do need to recognise that in unprecedented times like now, we may need to support each other in order to reach all the people we serve.  We will continue to support our members with the latest advice and guidance as the Government release it, but in the meantime, we are asking members to focus on good infection prevention and control practices and we are also asking relatives who may have symptoms of a cold or flu to consider if they really need to visit a care home in person.  Many care home still have the ability to provide other forms of contact to help prevent infection spreading.”

iCG writes to Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer

Honorary President and former Chair of the Independent Care Group (iCG), Mike Padgham, has written to the Chancellor urging the government to support social care in the forthcoming budget.

The letter reads:

Dear Chancellor 

Re: The Urgent Need for Support for the Social Care Sector in the Forthcoming Budget 

I am writing to you as Honorary President and former Chair of the Independent Care Group, and as someone who has spent many years advocating for a fair, sustainable and respected social care sector. I do so with respect for the significant economic pressures facing the Government, but also with deep concern for the situation now confronting social care providers across the country. 

The pressures facing the sector are unprecedented. Rising costs, workforce shortages, and long-term underfunding have created conditions that many providers can no longer withstand. Without targeted support in this Budget, we will see more care homes and homecare providers closing their doors

. 

This is not only a social crisis, it is an economic one.

Skills for Care’s latest report highlights the enormous contribution that social care makes to the UK economy. In 2024/25, the sector contributed £77.8 billion to the economy and supported around 1.60 million filled posts. Social care is not a burden; it is a major economic asset, underpinning communities and enabling millions to remain in work. 

A stable and sustainable social care system is essential to the NHS. When providers struggle or close, hospital discharge slows, beds are blocked, and pressure grows across the health system. Investment in social care is, therefore, not only the right thing to do, it is fundamental to any long-term NHS strategy.

Chancellor, this Budget presents a crucial opportunity to stabilise and strengthen the sector. We are not asking for extravagance; we are asking for recognition and fair support.

We need a budget that:

• prevents further provider failures

•. strengthens and values the workforce

• supports providers to meet rising costs sustainably; and

• acknowledges social care as a significant economic driver.

Providers are doing everything they can, but resilience alone cannot carry the sector any further. Without action, closures will accelerate and the consequences will be immediate, felt by families, by the NHS, and by the UK economy. 

I urge you to take these concerns into account in your forthcoming Budget. Social care has the potential to be one of the UK’s greatest strengths, but it urgently needs your support. 

Thank you for your time and attention. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss these issues further with you or your officials.

Yours sincerely,

Mike Padgham

Honorary President iCG