The Jersey Care Federation (JCF) would like to provide clarification in response to Deputy Elaine Millar's comments on the care sector's reaction to the 2024 LTC uplift, as reported in the Jersey Evening Post (JEP) on January 23.

The Jersey Care Federation (JCF) has today announced widespread anger and shock throughout the care sector after the Minister for Health & Social Services, Deputy Karen Wilson, announced that Long-Term Care benefits would increase by just 7.7%. The sector had been anticipating an uplift of at least 10.9% in line with recent RPI figures and had been making financial plans for 2024 on this basis.

The Jersey Care Federation (JCF) has welcomed the recent review by the Work Permit Holder Welfare Review Panel, which made recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the current Work Permit Policy (WPP).

The improved Long-Term Care Scheme webpages went live this week and can be accessed at www.gov.je/LongTermCare or via the JCF Members Portal.

Following the recent comment from Interim Chief Officer Chris Bown regarding bed-blocking at the Hospital, the Jersey Care Federation has issued a statement.

Following the publication of the new Minimum Price for Homecare in England by The Homecare Association, the Jersey Care Federation has estimated that the price of care in Jersey will rise to at least £39.80 per hour by 2024 without accounting for inflation.

As a sector, we are deeply shocked by the news that GoJ has withdrawn its support for Les Amis's development of vital facilities at the former Hampshire Hotel. Over the last eight years, our members have all worked collaboratively alongside Les Amis to provide input into their meticulous research about Jersey’s future need for long-term residential care. Our concern now is that there does not seem to be an alternative plan or acknowledgement of Les Amis’s research findings.

This is the first year since the start of the pandemic that the care sector has been able to meet in person to discuss issues not directly related to COVID-19, including recruitment of skilled carers, operational costs and new ways to support vulnerable people.

We are calling on GoJ to extend their provision of COVID-19 PPE for carers beyond the end of January 2023. GoJ began supplying additional PPE to the care sector during the pandemic when there were global shortages of essential items such as surgical masks and FFE visors. This provision is due to cease at the end of this month.

Following the Government of Jersey’s publication of an LTC Update, we have written to Ministers to express our grave and urgent concerns regarding the lack of consultation with our sector, as well as serious issues with the content.

The Jersey Care Federation has confirmed that having consulted with their members, the care sector is now in crisis due to staff shortages.

The Jersey Care Federation is proud to announce the launch of its first healthcare induction course, providing islanders with easier access to a career in Health and Social Care. The new training course is being delivered thanks to funding from the States of Jersey and support initiatives designed to address local skills shortages.