Extra care homes cash will create virus fund

EXTRA government cash intended to help stem the spread of coronavirus in care homes will be used to fund specialist plans in the event of an outbreak in any individual facility.

Care home operators in the county council area are also being given targeted infection control advice to prevent the disease getting through the doors in the first place.

It comes as the authority’s director of public health said the care sector has “not been at the forefront” of nationwide efforts to tackle the virus - but stressed that it was a top priority locally.

The latest figures show that just under a third of the 529 care homes across the whole of Lancashire have reported at least one case of coronavirus within their walls.

Of 45 deaths across Hyndburn now confirmed with coronavirus, 12 are in care homes, with 28 in hospital, and five others.

County Hall has been handed £16.1m from a £600m pot announced by ministers last week to reduce the transmission of Covid-19 in care settings.

Lancashire County Council leader Geoff Driver said any additional financial assistance was welcome.

Care minister Helen Whately said of the additional government funding: “Our care homes, and those working tirelessly to look after our loved ones, are at the heart of our fight against this invisible enemy, which is why we’re doing everything we can to make sure the sector has all the support it needs to stop the spread and save lives.

“Our support package introduces stronger measures on infection control and steps up clinical support to make sure there is a clinical lead assigned to every care home right across the country to offer advice and quicker support.

“This is an important set of measures to support care homes and their staff - to continue to do wonderful work caring for people, even at this most difficult of times.”