The number of care beds in England has fallen to its lowest point in a decade, according to government figures.

The number of beds declined from 11.3 per 100 people aged 75 and over in 2012 to 9.4 in December 2023, according to The Office for Health Improvement & Disparities.

In some areas, the rate has dropped even lower. North Yorkshire, for example, dropped to 8.8 in 2021, leading North Yorkshire County Council to develop its Care Rooms project. This sees households with spare rooms volunteer to accommodate those needing support.

Tobyn Dickinson is chief executive of Cromwell Care which is opening The Mayfield Care Home, a 66-bed luxury care home, in Whitby. He said a shortage of staff is one of the factors behind the lack of available beds. Skills For Care data shows 165,000 vacant positions in the sector in 2021/22, an increase of over half on 2020/21. The data also shows a drop in new starters entering the care sector, falling from 37.3% of the total care workforce in 2018/19 to 30.8% in 2021/22.

“Recruitment is always a priority for any new care home, but here at The Mayfield it was really important for us to get this process right so we could attract and retain a high-quality team that will stay with us for the long term,” he said.

“We believe that a rewarding and supportive working environment, together with opportunities for training, qualifications and career progression are key to care workers remaining in their roles, and these are things the sector as a whole needs to continue working on.” 

“After a very challenging few years, it’s vital that the care industry, local authorities, and the government begin to provide solutions and regain the public’s trust in the care sector.”