Right at Home CEO stands up for social care in national media appearances

We are immensely proud of our CEO, Lucy Campbell, who has recently been championing the social care sector.  

Lucy, a passionate advocate for social care, has made several media appearances over the last two months to shine a spotlight on the challenges felt most acutely by local authority-funded providers. 

These challenges include decades of underfunding, which has led to 2.6 million people waiting for critical care packages, with many more seeing their packages cut by public bodies. 

The planned rise in the National Minimum Wage and Employers’ National Insurance contributions announced in the Autumn budget, are likely to compound these issues when they come to fruition in April.  

As a quality care provider primarily operating in the private market, financial pressures have meant we have had no option but to pass rising costs onto our Clients, in part at least. However, Right at Home is in a stronger position than most. 

Lucy explains: “We have strong margins that allow us to pay our incredible workforce a competitive wage, invest in training and career opportunities and harness the power of technology to support our network and further enhance our services. 

“Sadly though, due to chronic underfunding, many council-funded providers are being offered packages at rates that fail to meet the true cost of care – care that is central to the wellbeing of individuals – keeping them safe and well – and plays a crucial role in alleviating pressures on the NHS,” she adds.  

“That’s why I was thankful for the opportunity to stand up for our remarkable sector in the media over the last two months.” 

Lucy Campbell appeared on GB News this month and starred in the campaign video to promote the #ProvidersUnite Day of Action.

Lucy began her string of media appearances by speaking with Clive Bull on LBC Radio and was subsequently interviewed by BBC Radio, reaching audiences across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset and Bristol.  

She was later joined by RaH Franchise Owner Grant Attwood, Managing Director of RaH Somerset, for a live television interview with GB News.  

During these discussions, Lucy addressed the true costs of delivering quality care, the implications of recent budget announcements and the necessary actions required to address key issues facing the homecare sector. 

Lucy was also invited to take part in a campaign video to promote the #ProvidersUnite ‘Day of Action’, a peaceful rally which took place in Westminster earlier this week.  

The event saw hundreds of care providers come together to urge the government to recognise the vital role they play in society. 

Lucy says: “As providers, it is imperative that we continue to advocate for the vital importance of social care. We frequently describe ourselves as the overlooked relation to the NHS, too long forgotten by the government. Therefore, it is essential that we seize every opportunity to make our voices heard and collectively strive for immediate reform.” 

Lucy was elected as Vice Chair of the Homecare Association, which represents over 2,000 care providers, in 2023. In this role, she regularly stresses the importance of a collective approach to shaping the future of the homecare sector.  

Speaking at the 2024 Social Care Summit in June, she said: “Together, we can break down the barriers that hinder access to affordable, quality care. As a collective we must be the champions of change.  

“We know what the challenges are, and we know what needs to be done - we just need to ensure we are heard, like never before.”