The rate paid for care homes for NHS funded nursing care (FNC) will increase by 7.4% for 2024-25.

As of 1 April, the standard weekly rate per person eligible for FNC will rise from £219.71 to £235.88 with the higher rates increasing from £302.25 to £324.50.

The NHS-funded nursing care rate helps cover the costs of supporting the needs of residents within nursing homes, including people with learning disabilities, those living with enduring physical or mental health needs and various conditions associated with old age.

The government said it had made up to £8.6 billion available over this financial year and next for adult social care and discharge to enable local authorities to buy more care packages, help people leave hospital in a timely way, improve workforce recruitment and retention, and reduce waiting times for care.

In addition, it is investing up to £700 million in improving care workers’ skills and supporting career progression, providing new technology, innovation and digitisation, and adapting people’s homes to allow them to live independently.

Professor Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, told Caring Times: “Care England has worked tirelessly with the Department of Health and Social Care over nine years to ensure that the FNC rate reflects the true cost of providing nursing care. This latest uplift represents a win for the care sector operating in a challenging time and is a testament to our collective efforts. Our work is not done though. 

 “The government must now lend consideration to the legal definition of FNC to ensure its fit for the future given the increased levels of complexity seen in residential care, and how care providers have had to adapt their services to meet the ever-changing needs of their residents.

“We need to make sure that not only is care funded appropriately, but that our nursing staff are recognised and rewarded accordingly, in line with NHS nurses. Whilst the latest uplift is a step in the right direction, the government must now act to secure the future of nursing provision in residential care.”