Workers Party Demands Public Disclosure of Homecare Shortfall

24th November 2025

​Nicola Grant, Workers Party Regional Spokesperson, is calling on the Department of Health to make public the extent of the unmet need for home care services for each of the health and social care trusts.

​Grant said anecdotal information suggests that in many trusts the unmet need is more than 40%, which she stressed is totally unacceptable for patients and families, and has wider implications for hospital services.

​She continued that the department and trusts need to be transparent about the reasons for this disastrous situation. Many of those working in the sector believe it is because the service has been privatised, leading to low pay and inadequate terms and conditions of employment, which prevents private and voluntary companies from recruiting and retaining staff.

​Grant highlighted that this is a vital frontline service which impacts the most vulnerable members of society, often resulting in them spending time in hospital instead of in the familiar surroundings and comfort of their own homes.

​The Workers Party has been campaigning for this essential service to be brought back into the health and social care service.

Grant stated that ill health requires healing and care and should never be a vehicle for profit-making by large corporations who refuse to pay their workers a real living wage and proper terms and conditions of employment, or by voluntary organisations who take on contracts they cannot deliver.

This situation means many clients with care packages are frequently left without a service, leading to upset and frustrated families.