Alot more male health care staff members required, says providers' chief

Additional male health care personnel are wanted to look after the elderly, the chief exec of Care England has said. Prof Martin Green told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the government should do much more to recruit men into front-line adult social care positions. He stated that because an increasing number of men are living for a longer period, additional men are necessary for their personal care.

 

The Dept of Health claimed it would at all times recommend more people of either gender to become carers. "We have an maturing human population and many individuals who receive care into old age these days are men," says Prof Green. "The majority of carers are females. In terms of personal care particularly, some men favor this to be done by a male instead of female."

Care England claims it's the biggest representative body for independent care providers in England.

 

 

Its affiliates contain single care homes, small local organizations, national providers and not-for-profit voluntary organisations and associations, providing services for older people and those with long-term ailments, learning afflictions or mental health conditions. It's about every citizen looking at their own pre-conceived notions of who provides care Prof Martin Green, Care England

 

Prof Green mentioned that "entrenched societal perceptions" prevent men from pondering care work. "The issue is people always see caring positions as being female positions. We have to make society recognize that all of us have the potential to become a carer," he said. Govt stats indicate 84% of carers across the sector in England are women, and just 16% are men. This figure has stayed stationary ever since 2012. "The govt could be a lot more systematic in their approach," he continued.

 

"They could very well make sure that each and every school understands that care profession routes are for males as well as females, they can depict much more men in government info on care jobs, and they ought to put more emphasis on reaching out to males when they advertise care role vacancies. "This is about each and every arm of government trying to alter the notion that care jobs are only for women. "More significantly, it's about every citizen evaluating their own pre-conceived concepts of who gives care."

 

Eighty-year-old Jonathan Ryan from a residential home in Surrey has major mobility issues. He told Today he wished there were additional men looking after him: "From a personal viewpoint - having showers and baths and private washing and things, I would prefer to be washed and bathed by another male. It makes me feel awkward. I would much prefer a male, I have to admit." For Mr Ryan, it isn't just a matter of personal preference - he also mentioned he feels in safer hands with males.

Following a recent severe tumble, Mr Ryan announced that it was the absolute power of a big male carer that ensured he was lifted from an uncomfortable position. "He literally pulled me delicately out but strongly and then he got behind me correctly and picked me up."

 

One of the biggest not-for-profit care home providers in the United Kingdom, Anchor, claims the lack of male carers is storing up difficulties for the long run; they've began a recruitment push in schools and colleges to attract many more men into the jobResearch by social care concentrated charity Skills for Care says men are usually put off from becoming carers because of the perception that it's a profession with uncomfortable routine tasks.

 

Other factors include a negative look at the sector's income and salaries, conditions of service, and opportunities to move forward. Mark Hand works as a carer. He says that his job "raises a few eyebrows" however his sex does not prevent him or his female colleagues from accomplishing their tasks effectively. "It in some cases takes a little time to break down obstacles when you are working with a woman as a man and vice-versa," he said. "But as long as you demonstrate a lot of compassion, dignity and you address them with respect then those hindrances do come down and they are rather happy for you to take care of them."

 

A Dept of Health spokesman mentioned: "We would persuade lots more people, including males, to join the social care workforce. "There are a wide selection of opportunities for both men and women and we have printed guidance on exactly how care companies can get more men to the profession. "Hundreds of thousands of care workers will benefit when we introduce the National Living Wage, which will also help encourage more people to join the sector."