Care home residents and staff members felt ‘forgotten’ in early days of pandemic
A NORTHERN Ireland care home manager has said residents and staff felt “forgotten about” at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
Eddy Kerr, operations manager at the Hutchinson Care Homes Group, said there were issues maintaining safe staffing levels and sourcing PPE.
Mr Kerr claimed authorities did not respond to their requests for help at the onset of the outbreak.
“Is it possible that everyone was so tied-up in other parts of the sector, with what they were used to dealing with on a day-tofor day basis, that we did get forgotten?” he told the BBC.
“That sounds a little bit emotive, saying we were forgotten, but that’s how it felt like in those early days.
“I think people were listening but I don’t think people were responding initially.
“It was a very slow response and in some ways it still is a slow response but we are getting there.”
In response to the claims, a Department of Health spokesperson said support has always been available.
“In addition, we have bolstered that support through the RQIA’S service support team, moved early to guarantee income care homes, and quickly directed trusts to support homes with both PPE and staffing issues,” they added.
“Millions of pieces of PPE and thousands of staff hours have been provided without charge to care homes.
“We expect the payments from the £6.5m additional assistance to be paid to care homes this Friday.
“Covid-19 has sadly proved devastating for many care home residents across these islands and in mainland Europe.
“There will undoubtedly be many lessons to learn from this pandemic — including the pressing need for major reform of social care.”
ALMOST two-fifths of Northern Ireland’s shuttered small businesses fear never opening again, according to a survey published today.
The Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) survey of over 200 local firms also found that nearly half of small employers are considering redundancies. They are also struggling to pay bills and have abandoned initiatives such as exports and product development.
Around six in 10 said they have been forced to shut since the start of the outbreak, with 37% of those saying they will not or are unsure if they’ll ever reopen again.
More than a third (35%) have failed to make, or faced severe difficulties in making, payments for their premises.
Tina Mckenzie, FSB NI policy chair, said: “Many firms in Northern Ireland are concerned about the future viability of their businesses.
“Government, both at Stormont and Westminster, have brought forward considerable support for the small business community, from income support schemes to cash grants, to help with accessing finance.
“But, of course, we are acutely aware that many have fallen through the gaps and the support has been insufficient for some.
“It is now recognised that the risks associated with coronavirus will not disappear quickly and it is therefore vital that support for business does not fall off a cliff-edge and is tailored to reflect conditions.”
Ms Mckenzie said firms here will also need help with preparing for reopening.
“This will require businesses to be clearly advised on how to operate safely and supported to make the necessary adjustments,” she added. “Doing this properly will enable the economy to recover more quickly and could avoid a prolonged, deep recession which would have significant economic and social ramifications.”