PAYMENTS to care homes have been increased by a tenth, Solihull Council says, to help providers in the borough cope with the extra costs of coronavirus.
All care homes having a contract with the borough council are set to receive 10 per cent of fees added to their revenue since April.
In a letter to care minister Helen Whately MP, council chief executive Nick Page wrote: “In addition to their usual fee, care homes for older people have received a payment equivalent to 10 per cent of the Council’s usual fee for all care bed weeks expected to be delivered between April and June.
“This is to meet their Covid-19 related costs. Disability care homes have received an additional payment equivalent to five per cent of their planned placement costs for the same period.
“Where costs exceed this for the April – June period, the Council is adopting the recommended ‘open book’ approach, with providers asked to evidence pressures in order to access assistance with increased costs.”
Solihull Council leader Coun Ian Courts said: “Recently the government asked all local authority chief executives to submit a plan explaining the support they can offer to care homes during the pandemic.
“This plan is important. It explains how we are working with our NHS partners and the steps we’re taking together to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in care homes. It reflects on all the work we’ve been doing, and will do, to support our care homes now and in the future during the pandemic.
“What strikes me, reading the plan, is the strength of our existing relationships with NHS partners, and with the care homes in the borough. Great partnership working. Helping to keep people safe.”
