§ 6. Mr. Costainasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he intends to take to reduce the present rate of turnover of staff for old people's homes.
§ Mr. EnnalsI would refer the hon. Member to the Under-Secretary of State's reply to him and the hon. Member for Tonbridge (Mr. Hornby) on 4th November last. Some training courses for the staff of these homes are expected to begin this autumn.—[Vol. 772, c. 479–80.]
§ Mr. CostainThat is a most unsatisfactory answer. Is it not vital that we do more to keep staff in old people's homes, where continuity of care is most important?
§ Mr. EnnalsI am most anxious that we should keep staffs in old people's homes. I recognise both the tremendous job which they do and the difficulty for many of them because of lack of training. I do not at all accept that my answer was unsatisfactory, since I gave examples of the way in which we are providing training programmes. There are likely to be about three one-year courses for staff holding or hoping to take senior posts leading to qualifications given by the Council for Training in Social Work. I hope also that the salary settlement operative from 1st August last year will help in the problem of recruitment and retaining many of these able people.
§ Mr. WhitakerWill my hon. Friend consider a change of emphasis towards domiciliary help as advocated by Professor Peter Townsend.
§ Mr. EnnalsI do not regard this as a matter of alternatives. I am certain that there is need for old people's homes and the staff to man them. I entirely agree, also, that many people would not need to be in an old people's home if there were improved domiciliary services, and my right hon. Friend and I are extremely anxious to see these services increased.