With winter approaching and NHS services under severe strain, Caremark (one of the UK's leading home care providers) is calling for an urgent shift towards home care for over-65s. While A&E health MOTs for older adults have been introduced to detect underlying conditions and manage overcrowding, Caremark warns this is merely a "sticking plaster" when the solution is earlier prevention.

The strain on the NHS is already severe. Dr Adrian Boyle, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, reports that last month, over 119,000 people waited more than 12 hours in A&E—an alarming 20% increase since December 2021. He called this a “stark warning” for the government to take immediate action to prevent a winter collapse [1].

David Glover, Caremark’s joint CEO, explains:

“The increase in pressure on A&E and bed space in hospitals is not news to anyone, but serious problems are looming as we’re about to go into an unprecedentedly busy winter. The introduction of health MOTs at A&E acts as a sticking plaster covering up a much bigger problem. Although it’s recognised that prevention is the answer, by the time people are in hospital, they are already taking up valuable NHS time.

“To truly ease the strain on hospitals, we need earlier intervention through home care. The close customer relationships formed between care assistants and their customers mean that there are countless instances where problems have been identified before they have escalated into urgent medical crises - especially early signs of infection.

“For vulnerable individuals, especially those living alone with no assistance, home care needs to be the priority for a year-round defence. This will keep people healthier and more independent and reduce emergency admissions by addressing health issues before they require emergency treatment. It will save lives and ease the pressure on hospitals; it’s a no-brainer.”

President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), Melanie Williams, has echoed this sentiment, noting that early care and support at home or in the community need to be invested in first and foremost, inferring that spending more on the NHS services “is like pouring water down a sink with no plug in.” [2] Her words reinforce the need for a strategic shift toward proactive care solutions.