The looming care home bed supply squeeze

Mar 28, 2016
Scott is the partner responsible for looking after the firm’s healthcare and medical sector clients. Scott also specialises in advising small businesses.
Property

Rising demand but a falling supply of care home beds?

We have commented numerous times how the care home sector has an optimistic future, despite its uncertain present, and this has now been compounded by recent research. The UK has an ageing population and research suggests that the number of people aged over 65 is set to rise by 10% over the next 5 years and by more than 40% in the next 17 years. Yet, during the same period, the number of beds available in care homes is forecast to fall.

Research by property consultants Knight Frank indicated that there was a net loss of 189 elderly care homes during the 12 months to September 2015.  If current trends continue, Knight Frank predicts the existing care home bed supply of 456,000 will fall to 444,700 by 2020.

Care home bed supply aqueeze

Source: UK Healthcare Development Opportunities 2015

Similarly, research from thinktank ResPublica forecasts as many as 37,000 beds (around 1,500 care homes) could be lost by 2020. The findings underline the scale of the problems facing the care home sector.

The financial impact on care home bed supply

Many care home operators are facing major challenges and, although the National Living Wage introduction has to happen to pay employees a fair wage, care homes will be arguably the biggest hit sector (almost 51% of employees will be affected by the changes by 2020, compared to the average of just 23% across all sectors).

In conjunction with this, local funding cuts and the consequent squeezes on fees paid by councils have seen many homes’ income stagnate whilst their costs are rising.

Research by LaingBuisson consultants found that the cost of running a care home is £554 per week; £42 more than the average fee (£512) paid by English councils. There is a significant funding gap and it is putting the immediate financial viability of the UK’s smallest care homes under very real threat.

Justin Bowden, National Officer at the GMB union, which represents thousands of care home employees, said: “You are looking potentially at several Southern Crosses in the next 12 months if something drastic is not done.”

Opportunities for high performing care homes and new entrants?

The rising demand of care home beds and aging population presents good news and big opportunities for high performing care homes and new entrants into the market. Those homes that innovate, cut down costs and operate more efficiency and pragmatically will be the most likely to attract more private residents and reap the benefits of an optimistic future.

We have spoken in detail before about the opportunities for innovation and financial efficiency, including a well-designed website, renewable energy sources and the use of technology in and around the care home.

Those care homes that prepare for tomorrow’s service users today will be the ones who are best placed to overcome the challenges they will face over the next few months and years.

More from our care sector experts

You can also find all of our latest care sector news and newsletters here.

If you are looking for advice in a particular area, please get in touch with your usual Hawsons contact.

Alternatively, we offer all new clients a free initial meeting to have a discussion about their own personal circumstances – find out more or book your free initial meeting here. We have offices in Sheffield, Doncaster and Northampton.

Scott Sanderson

Scott Sanderson, Partner

Scott Sanderson began his career with Hawsons and trained as a Chartered Accountant, becoming a partner in 2015, specialising in the healthcare sector and small businesses. For more details and advice, please contact Scott on ss@hawsons.co.uk or 0114 266 7141.[/author_info]