Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
WORKING FOR YOU Special thanks to care home staff
Last week we saw the launch of Care Home Day for 2020.
Now in its second year, its purpose is to highlight how care homes and their local communities have come together to support residents and staff.
This is especially important as we have witnessed a very trying time for care homes during the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s safe to say that Covid-19 has been difficult for everyone, but it has especially impacted our care homes.
Over the past few months we have seen how the virus has presented a specific threat to the lives of both residents and staff in care homes.
And sadly we have also seen devastating grief and loss across the country, with the impact of lockdown measures on people’s wellbeing hugely notable too.
As visits to care homes have been restricted and stopped in order to keep people safe, I can only begin to imagine the stress and strain this has put on residents and families who are used to seeing their loved ones on a regular basis.
However, I think it is so important to highlight that throughout this crisis, the dedication and professionalism of staff in supporting residents, families and each other has been absolutely exceptional.
Those working in the care home system have rallied around to tackle outbreaks when they have taken place and protect facilities where there have been no outbreaks.
The care home response to Covid- 19 has involved new innovative activity, unprecedented collaboration and people going above and beyond the call of duty.
Staff have been flexible in their approach and made use of technology and social media to keep the residents in touch with their families. There has been a real sense of community within and around care homes through this challenging time.
Before, during and beyond Covid-19, Scotland needs care homes to provide a safe and homely setting for many of the country’s most vulnerable people and I would like to take this opportunity to recognise and give thanks to those who work in care homes in our communities for their ongoing dedication to the residents and their families.
With the easing of lockdown, we are now seeing new arrangements taking place to strengthen oversight of Scotland’s care homes. Clinical and care professionals at NHS boards and local authorities now have a lead role in the oversight for care homes in their area.
The Scottish Government has also stepped in to provide both top up and emergency provision of PPE to care homes and social care organisations, meaning there will be no shortages.
New legislation is now in force that ensures there is scope for immediate intervention if care home residents are being put at serious risk. There is also regular testing, even when there aren’t any symptoms present or no cases, to ensure staff and residents are being kept safe.
In addition, I have also written to the managers, employees, residents and families of those in care homes in Coatbridge and Chryston offering my thanks for their patience, understanding and care at this time.
With visits to care homes resuming on a phased basis in homes where there have been no Covid-19 cases for 28 days, I hope that families will now be able to spend much needed time with their loved ones.
I do not take the sacrifices made during this time lightly and would encourage anyone, whether they be care home staff or family of residents, who requires any extra help or support to get in touch with me.