When I went to Parliament and spoke up for care workers

Nicole Stanfield Caile writes: In June, myself and other care workers were given the opportunity, through UNISON, to meet at Parliament with Barbara Keeley, shadow cabinet minister for social care and mental health. I was invited because I had taken part in the development of the residential care charter in 2016. Most of the care workers present at the meeting were from areas around London or in the north. I was proud to represent my corner of the UK, the south west. The meeting began with a warm welcome from Ms. Keeley and her staff, who thanked us for our hard work in care and for attending. Ms. Keeley began by talking about the NHS’s 70th birthday but how people didn’t seem to realise that social care is also celebrating its 70th. She talked about what the Labour government has pledged to do to help social care and policies that they want to develop for the future. Nicole (second from right) with the other care workers and Barbara Keely (second from left). Ms. Keeley pointed out that since 2010, £7 billion has been taken out of social care budgets. She said that Labour have pledged £8 billion to go back, including £1 billion this year which has been earmarked to help workers in the care sector to realise a real living wage, ending 15 minute care visits, and ending zero hours contracts. Labour has been working with UNISON about pay for care workers and the ethical care charter. Ms. Keeley also said Labour has been looking at recruitment and retention, traini...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article Blogs adult social care health and social care Source Type: news