The care home sector in the UK is in huge trouble, mainly because of increasing costs and a critically poor labour supply. In a recent survey by Apetito, in conjunction with Care England, 76% of the care homes that prepare fresh food themselves have described the above challenges as difficult to meet. Care homes might experience high pressure in some of these areas. ESGO’s temporary staffing solutions can be important in easing such pressures and ensuring that care homes continue to run and provide quality meals.
Rising Catering Costs Amidst Economic Pressures
The study also shows that ninety per cent of care homes have noted a constant rise in catering costs since the cost of living crisis began in 2022. These costs have increased due to inflation in food ingredients and mealtime labour costs. However, the sector is under pressure, with more than 75% of the care homes reporting issues running their kitchens under these financial constraints.
The research, which focused on around 500 care homes and was conducted in 2023 using qualitative data, shows how cost pressure and staff deficit threaten the sector. There is also instability in the financial and operating performance due to the problems associated with recruiting and managing competent kitchen personnel, which impacts meal quality and food hygiene.
The Impact of Labour Shortages
One of the factors making the situation more complicated in care homes is the labour deficit. It also reveals that the problem of recruitment and retention of skilled kitchen staff members is negatively affecting the capacity of care homes to serve freshly prepared and healthy food. This shortage is not only seen in the quality of the food and the products being served but also creates an extra burden on the existing workforce.
The competition for staff in care home kitchens is even higher than in the other segments because many places are understaffed, and workers are lured to other sectors that offer better pay and working conditions or because the work in the kitchens of these facilities is challenging. The kind of staffing services offered by ESGO can assist by providing adequately trained and experienced temporary workforce to support the overworked teams to enhance operational capacity.
Food Waste and Financial Repercussions
Food waste is another important problem underlined by the report. Three of four care homes complained about the level of food waste and its implications for the costs. Management has had to struggle with the issue of having many residents while at the same time having to deal with schedules and events that are so random; this has contributed to higher wastage, an aspect that could be more friendly on the financial books.
The problem of food waste is costly to care homes: they have to pay for wasted food ingredients and inefficient management of kitchens. The services provided by ESGO in providing temporary staff can be of help to care homes in enhancing the performance of the kitchen and thus reduce wastage and expenditure on food.
Nutritional Impact on Residents
The findings of this report also show that the residents are affected negatively by their nutritional habits. Due to economic constraints and shortages of workers, the care homes are likely to compromise on the meals they prepare and the nutritional values of such meals. This seriously impacts the residents because the food required in the diet for the proper functioning of the body is very important.
With care homes’ resident considering meal times as the most critical time of their day, it becomes essential to have good quality meals, which are affected by some factors. Furthermore, 19% of the care homes expressed that they faced challenges in delivering a nutritionally adequate meal concerning the individuals’ needs in the home, thus the need for better solutions.
Addressing Specialist Dietary Needs
The report reveals that care homes serve many residents with specialized dietary requirements. In the surveyed homes, it is estimated that 3% – 19% of residents need such facilities, many of whom have difficulties with dexterity or coordination problems. To address these needs, designing meal plans that can provide optimum nutrition is the best solution.
Addressing the dietary needs of the residents is very important, especially for those residents with special needs regarding foods they can take.
Proposed Solutions and Best Practices
In response to these challenges, the report offers several recommendations for care homes to manage costs and improve their operations:
- Optimizing Kitchen Operations: Implementing efficient kitchen practices and workflows can help reduce waste and manage costs more effectively. Streamlining operations can improve overall efficiency and reduce financial pressures.
- Investing in Staff Training: Providing quality training for kitchen staff can enhance their skills and efficiency, helping to address some of the challenges associated with labour shortages.
- Leveraging Technology: Utilizing technology to manage inventory and streamline kitchen operations can help care homes better cope with rising costs and operational challenges.
The Role of Partnerships and Innovation
Martin Green, CEO of Care England, emphasizes the importance of addressing these challenges to ensure high-quality care. The partnership between Apetito and Care England aims to drive sector improvement by bringing attention to these issues and promoting best practices.
Richard Woodward, General Manager for Care Homes at Apetito, underscores the commitment to enhancing care home dining standards.
Conclusion
The “Nourishing Lives: A New Era of Dining in Care Homes” report highlights the significant challenges care homes face in providing fresh and nutritious meals amidst rising costs and labour shortages. ESGO’s temporary staffing solutions are crucial in addressing these challenges by offering skilled staff who can help care homes manage operational pressures, reduce food waste, and maintain high nutritional standards. By leveraging ESGO’s expertise, care homes can navigate these difficulties more effectively and continue to deliver high-quality care to their residents.
