"Unprecedented pressures" on adult social care means there will be greater challenges looking after Norfolk's most vulnerable people this winter than in previous years, council bosses have warned.
Workforce shortages, rising demand, the cost of living crisis, flu and the potential resurgence of Covid-19 cases could all squeeze the county's care system this winter.
In a report to come before members of Conservative-controlled Norfolk County Council's cabinet on Monday (December 5), James Bullion, the council's director of adult social care, has written: "This winter will present greater challenges than in previous years.
"In line with other systems, the Norfolk care market is experiencing unprecedented pressures, giving rise to a number of key areas that need addressing.
"These include workforce shortages, with national trends being reflected locally and rising demand from community and hospital referrals."
And he added: "Pressures are expected to be compounded by the impact of the cost of living crisis."
Mr Bullion said: "Patient flow across the health system has been increasingly
concerning, with discharges delayed across all patient pathways and length of stay increasing in our acute, mental health and community hospitals."
At the council meeting, Mr Bullion will explain what is being done to ensure the adult social care system can cope.
NHS England has awarded Norfolk's Integrated Care System £11m to help get through the winter.
Some will be used to pay care home providers more to take in patients discharged from hospitals.
The council has also paid for more than 3,000 extra home care hours from providers, so care can be provided in people's own houses.
Adult social care officers have been working with other health organisations to commission intermediate care beds, to help speed up hospital discharge.
And collaboration with housing providers means housing with care flats are being used to get people out of hospital more rapidly.
Voluntary Norfolk are recruiting volunteers to support people recently discharged from hospital, while a recruitment campaign for care workers continues.
But Steve Morphew, leader of the opposition Labour group at County Hall, said the report did not ease his concerns.
He said: "This is supposed to be an emergency, not business as usual. The council really needs to step up to the task."
Bill Borrett, the council's cabinet member for adult social services, said: "We started planning for winter much earlier than ever this year because it was clear that it would be more challenging.
"The long-term effects of Covid mean it will be a difficult winter, but we are doing all we can to support Norfolk’s residents and our dedicated staff working across health and social care."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here