LIBERAL Democrats deputy leader Daisy Cooper MP visited homecare provider Abbots Care at its St Albans headquarters to meet with senior leaders and frontline teams to discuss the growing pressures facing the sector and to gain first-hand insight into the delivery of care in the community.
The visit began at Abbots Care’s offices, where Daisy met with CEO Camille Leavold MBE to discuss the operational realities and challenges currently affecting the sector, including rising demand for social care, workforce recruitment and retention, funding pressures, and the need for long-term sustainable reform.
Camille said: “We were delighted to welcome Daisy Cooper MP to Abbots Care and to have the opportunity to share the realities of delivering homecare in today’s climate.
“Seeing care in action really brings home the importance of this sector – not only to the individuals we support, but to the wider health and social care system.
“Demand for homecare is rising rapidly, yet providers and care workers are under immense pressure. Meaningful engagement with policymakers is essential, as is investment in the sector, if we are to secure a sustainable future for social care.”
Daisy then met members of Abbots Care’s operations and leadership team, including Helen Sinden, managing director; Sarah Hurley, care director; Jane Munyonga, care manager; and Ryan Killick, head of business, who shared their experiences of delivering care across Hertfordshire and beyond.
As part of the visit, Daisy also accompanied the Abbots Care team into the community to observe two homecare visits in St Albans, seeing first-hand the vital role care workers play in supporting people to live independently and with dignity in their own homes.