Care homes ‘in crisis’ as Covid accelerates demand

Some 33 islanders are currently stuck in hospital beds due to the lack of available spaces and things are set to get worse.

In all, there are 676 registered beds across the Bailiwick, which includes the Connaught Care Home in Alderney.

It is estimated that by 2040, the over-85 population will have more than doubled and there will be 40% more islanders in the 65 to 84 age range.

Guernsey Care Managers Association chairwoman Cathy Bailey believes that a potentially bad upcoming flu season could be the ‘tip of the iceberg’.

Care homes often have waiting lists, but this year has been ‘exceptional’, she said. ‘We are also experiencing a reduced turnover of residents and this may be in part attributed to their reduced exposure to infection due to past visitor restrictions and enhanced infection protocols.’

At the start of the pandemic, before vaccines became available, care homes were unable to admit new residents, so waiting lists began to build up.

The high demand means homes are inundated with calls from social workers and families trying to find out when a bed will become available.

A spokesperson for Health & Social Care said they aimed to discharge patients from hospital as soon as appropriate due to the negative impact remaining can have on their physical and mental wellbeing.

‘Prolonged stays in hospital can be detrimental to a patient’s health due to sleep deprivation or increased risk of falls or infection.

The ageing demographic in the island presents potential for the issue to worsen as care staff see an increased dependency on resources across the whole sector.

The issue extends to Alderney, where 70% of the population is over 65 and the island’s only care home currently has just 41 registered beds, which are all full.

Connaught Care Home operations manager Liz Bowskill said: ‘We are in a crisis. It’s very worrying. We’ve had to convert two offices to make more space and the problem is only going to get bigger.’

Concerns have also been raised by the Guernsey Housing Association, which operates La Nouvelle Maritaine and Le Grand Courtil.

These sites have 165 flats which provide accommodation to those with less intensive care needs who are able to live more independently.

‘There is a waiting list and when a space becomes available someone will be contacted and assessed,’ said GHA director Steve Williams.

He added although the accommodation was full, islanders still do not know enough about the service they provided.

‘A lot of people don’t get referred because people aren’t assessed in time – until virtually when a room becomes available,’ he said.

‘Not enough people know about us.’

The facilities run by the GHA are not available to anyone without care needs, and some people move straight out of hospital into the residences, as is often the case for care homes.

Plans have been considered for Belgrave Vinery to be redeveloped into a care home site.

‘It then comes into question who is going to manage it and things like that,’ said Mr Williams.