A recent analysis has highlighted significant shortages in care bed provision across many rural areas in England, raising concerns that older residents who retire in these regions may face difficulties accessing necessary support in later life. The study, conducted by Unity Bank Trust, a financial institution working with charities and non-profit organisations, examined the availability of care beds in relation to the older population across England’s 543 parliamentary constituencies.

The report found that several rural constituencies with high proportions of residents aged 65 and over have substantially fewer care beds than the national average of 43.32 per 1,000 older adults. South Devon, identified as having the largest shortfall, currently offers 24 beds per 1,000 retirees, meaning it would require an additional 532 care beds—equivalent to more than a dozen new care homes—to meet average levels. Other constituencies with notable deficits included North Dorset, which needs approximately 528 new beds, and Richmond & Northallerton in North Yorkshire, represented by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, where 478 additional beds are estimated to be necessary. The analysis also pointed to considerable gaps in Central Devon, Glastonbury & Somerton, and South Shropshire.

These areas have seen sustained inward migration of retirees while experiencing outflows of younger populations, contributing to an imbalance between demand for care services and supply. Colin Fyfe, chief executive of Unity Bank Trust, warned that while these locations can be attractive retirement destinations, their limited care infrastructure risks creating “care traps”—communities where residents may live comfortably in early retirement but later encounter barriers to accessing adequate care.

The report also drew attention to what it termed “coastal care deserts,” where seaside towns with rapidly growing elderly populations have not seen corresponding increases in care provision. For example, Blackpool North & Fleetwood offers only 35 beds per 1,000 older residents, while North West Norfolk and Isle of Wight West provide 37.25 and 38.26 beds respectively, all falling short of the national average.

At the regional level, the South West emerged as the most affected area, with 23% of its population aged 65 or over—the highest proportion in England—and 31 constituencies combining above-average elderly populations with below-average care availability. In contrast, London, with a smaller proportion of older residents (12.5%), had just two constituencies, Orpington and Croydon East, facing significant care shortfalls.

Representatives from the social care sector cited recruitment challenges as a major barrier to improving rural care provision. Nadra Ahmed, co-chair of the National Care Association, noted that rural areas struggle to attract domestic workers willing to enter social care roles and that investment in expanding care beds is often not prioritised by potential investors. This combination of workforce constraints and funding limitations complicates efforts to address the growing needs of ageing rural populations.