£40m rescue package for Wales' 'abandoned' social care service is not enough

The Welsh Government's £40m rescue package to help support adult social care services during the coronavirus pandemic is not enough, according to a social care leader.

Care Forum Wales chair Mario Kreft said the financial aid announced by Welsh Health Minister was “welcome” but he's not confident it will reach the front line with local government in charge.

This comes as the Health Minister Vaughan Gething said out of Wales' 1073 care homes, 75 had confirmed cases of coronavirus and 217 had suspected cases. He warned that the number was expected to rise.

• 'Almost a third' of Welsh care homes have confirmed or suspected coronavirus

The Welsh Government says the money will help meet the increased costs of basic PPE, food and staffing costs incurred by adult social care services

It follows a £1.1bn fighting fund created to support public services to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

The £40m will be allocated to local government through the new Covid-19 local government ‘hardship fund’.

It means local authorities will work with adult social care providers to draw down the extra funding based on the new costs that are identified.

• Coronavirus death toll ‘airbrushing out’ older people dying in care system