The Royal Osteoporosis Society responds to the Government’s plan to scrap visas for low-skilled workers
Royal Osteoporosis Society
The Royal Osteoporosis Society calls on the government to reconsider its aim of ending visas for low-skilled workers as it will most certainly affect critical social care provision.
Restricting the number of visas for overseas social care workers amid claims of the Government’s major immigration shake-up could lead to even more people not being able to remain independent and in their own homes following a fracture.
Alison Doyle, Head of Operations and Clinical Practice at The Royal Osteoporosis Society, says, “Limiting the number of low-skilled care workers who offer significant value to those who need the care will severely affect the ability of people who have recently suffered a fracture, often caused by osteoporosis, to stay in their own homes and live well.”
It is estimated that in the UK, there are more than 500,000 fragility fractures every year – that’s one every minute or 1,400 a day.
“The effect that a shortage of social care workers could have is further illustrated by the fact that just 22% of people with osteoporosis think the NHS gives the condition the attention it deserves, and one in three people in long-term pain from fractures describe it as severe or unbearable,” says Ms Doyle.
“In addition, figures show that one in three people who have fractured have difficulty with domestic chores, highlighting the importance of assistance received from social care workers even more.”
The Royal Osteoporosis Society calls on the government to reconsider its aim of ending visas for low-skilled workers as it will most certainly affect critical social care provision.
The Royal Osteoporosis Society is the only UK-wide charity dedicated to improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. The charity works to raise awareness of and prevent osteoporosis by encouraging people to take positive steps to build their bone health.
