Minister for Care Gillian Keegan recently met with caregivers and clients at Home Instead’s Wimbledon and Kingston office.

The minister started her morning shadowing one of the company’s caregivers, Eleanor, on a home care call to clients Dorothy and Eric in New Malden.

The couple, both in their nineties, have been clients of Home Instead for over a year and the visits they have received from a small team of caregivers have been a lifeline, particularly during the months of pandemic lockdown.

Ms Keegan spoke to the couple about the care they received and how it had supported them to remain at home and living independently.

This was followed by a visit to the company’s offices to gain insights into the delivery of person-centered home care.

Speaking about the visit, the Minister said: “I am very grateful for the opportunity to shadow a domiciliary care worker on one of their visits, and to Dorothy and Eric for taking the time to talk to me about their experience receiving care in their own home during Covid-19.”

Clare Jefferies, owner of Home Instead Wimbledon and Kingston said: “I was delighted to have the opportunity to showcase our work in the local community. It’s not every day that a government minister comes to call.

“The work we do helps to keep people out of hospital, as well as allowing them to return home sooner following a stay in hospital. The last few years have shown us, more than ever, just how important it is for us to work to blur the line between health and social care, looking for more opportunities to collaborate and better support each other.”

Clare was delighted to have the opportunity to speak to the minister about the need to professionalise care work and the length that Home Instead goes to in order to provide training and career progression opportunities for its teams.