The Jersey Care Federation has announced its key priorities for 2023 following its AGM and consultation with members.
This is the first year since the start of the pandemic that the care sector has been able to meet in person to discuss issues not directly related to COVID-19, including recruitment of skilled carers, operational costs and new ways to support vulnerable people.
Specifically, over the next twelve months, the JCF will be prioritising:
- Supporting the recruitment of high-quality, skilled carers by seeking funding for overseas recruitment and policy changes that will make Jersey more attractive in the competitive global market.
- Introducing initiatives to stabilise/reduce operating costs for care providers, including a new platform for the collaborative sharing of policies and procedures, training, recruitment, promotional resources and procurement.
- Developing innovative new ways to support the community, such as the introduction of an Equipment Library in order to reduce the financial burden for vulnerable clients.
Cheryl Kenealy, Chairperson for the JCF, commented: “As the sector at the frontline caring for the island’s most vulnerable people, the pandemic has had a deeper and longer impact on us than most other industries. For the safety of our carers and clients, we have been unable to meet in person for several years or to give enough focus to other issues. This first meeting of 2023 represents a new era for the JCF and a chance for our sector to work together to improve Jersey’s care provision.
“Our members have told us that in 2023 they want us to work on delivering targeted measures which will immediately make things better for their staff, clients and the wider community. With a relatively small amount of investment from the government and some easy, common-sense policy changes, we believe that the care sector can thrive again and significantly relieve the pressure on the Hospital in terms of bed-blocking.
“I am incredibly proud of how Jersey’s care sector has come through the last few years, and I am excited by the renewed energy from our members, as well as their willingness to collaborate for the greater good of the island.”
