• Better pay needed to resolve recruitment crisis in care
• Cole-Hamilton responds to Eye Pavilion statement

Better pay needed to resolve recruitment crisis in care

Almost half of leaving care workers cite pay as key factor as Welsh Lib Dems call for creation of carers wage

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have proposed the creation of a new carers wage in Wales, to help resolve the current recruitment crisis amongst care workers.
Speaking in the Senedd on Tuesday, Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds urged the Welsh Government to adopt proposals which would see care workers receive a £2 an hour pay increase on top of the Real Living Wage.

According to a recent survey from Social Care Wales, 58% of those surveyed stated that pay was the main reason for them leaving the sector.
Another survey from Carers Wales revealed that more than a third of carers are struggling to make ends meet, with two-thirds reporting that the cost-of-living crisis increase has had a negative impact on their physical and or mental health.

Speaking on the issue, Jane Dodds MS said:

We are currently facing a crisis within our care industry, with many of our rural regions grappling with a recruitment and retention problem.

Within my own home region of Powys local recruitment events have had limited success, with two recent events resulting in nobody turning up.
But by boosting the wage for care workers by £2 an hour, not only can we establish a starting point for improved pay across the sector, but we can also start to finally recognise the amazing work being carried out by our carers here in Wales.

Cole-Hamilton responds to Eye Pavilion statement

Responding to the Scottish Government’s statement on the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

The closure of the Eye Pavilion will come as a bitter blow to campaigners, particularly the Keep Edinburgh Eye Pavilion campaign group, as well as Corstorphine Sight Loss which operates out of my constituency.

But it is also a vindication of the fact that this hospital has been unfit for purpose for some time.

I am concerned by the discovery of asbestos. We know that when it’s found in one place, it’s usually in other places too.

The Scottish Government must ensure that everyone affected by the closure is kept informed and updated. I will continue to work with patients and campaigners to make the case for a purpose-built replacement eye hospital.