Care staff in Ceredigion say they are physically and mentally exhausted as they prepare for ‘another long winter ahead’.

“Unprecedented demand and level of waiting list for care at home” has seen the domiciliary care market position worsen “rapidly and significantly” in Ceredigion over the summer, a report to scrutiny states.

An update on the domiciliary care provision provided to people in Ceredigion had been requested by the chairman of Ceredigion County Council’s healthier communities overview and scrutiny committee, Cllr Mark Strong, with members due to discuss the report on 6 October.

The report states that provision has been provided through Commissioning Framework for Procurement for individuals and all providers are registered and passed a series of requirements to be contracted for services with the council.

It adds: “Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic the domiciliary care providers have worked tirelessly to sustain the care and support needs of our communities. Their staff continued to deliver to those vulnerable individuals in the face of increased risks to themselves and their families, in maintaining close contact care and support and their efforts have been and continue to be recognised as exceptional in unprecedented times.”

Currently Ceredigion is facing a similar situation to the rest of the country with providers all reporting loss of staff which is impacting on the availability of trained and qualified people with recruitment also an issue, combined with a “relentless upward trend” in demand, the report adds.

“As a result of these increasing pressures on the domiciliary care providers, many reported being unable to take on new packages of care from the waiting list as they struggled to sustain existing commitments,” it states.

Staff are reporting physical and mental exhaustion from the pandemic demands and are “facing another long winter ahead”.

Recruitment for enablement staff is due to be ramped up to offset team pressures and the service’s option appraisal on extension and expansion is nearing completion as part of the through ag well-being model.