Affordable housing shortage worsens staff recruitment problems for care providers in the Highlands, impacting care services.
Homes are thinking of new ideas. They want to build staff pods on location. Also, they are looking into online room-matching. The goal is to help workers find housing.
Scottish Care’s Gwen Harrison said there is a crisis. Problems are worse in the Highlands. Burnout, media, and pay play a role. Also, Brexit limits staff, she stated.
Housing issues keep growing in the region. Affordable housing lacks in the Highlands. Tourism takes rental properties too.
About 70% of care homes use overseas staff. Many still cannot find permanent homes. One survey showed 50% lacked housing.
Homes try other plans. They use B&Bs or buy homes. Pods also get built, if possible. Leases for multiple staff face hurdles. Corporate leases might provide solutions.
A room-matching idea exists for care workers. School halls could offer summer housing. Scottish Care will focus on new staff. They want young people to choose care jobs.
Alex McCaulay runs Isle View Nursing Home. She has bungalows for her staff. Without them, her home might have closed. Funding is low, she said. Housing makes the crisis deeper.
Councillor Mackenzie sees a worry. The Highlands might lose workers. People need healthcare more as they age. Raigmore Hospital faces increasing burdens. Housing is often missed, she feels. Healthcare staff are not on the housing list.
This might limit the hiring pool, she adds. Highlands need ways to get affordable homes. Support for housing is very important here. She wants housing help for healthcare staff. The council and groups could work on this. Raigmore faces discharge issues too. Housing needs inclusion for recruitment now.