Staff deserve thanks for their care in a crisis

Throughout the pandemic, millions of people have quietly got on with life without drama or complaint, carrying out their duty of caring for others. We clapped for carers during the first lockdown in a tangible show of support that has not diminished as the year has worn on.

Those in the front line of

NHS healthcare, who can make the difference between life and death, were thrust, blinking, into the spotlight as the grim realities of coronavirus and its tragic consequences, unfolded.

But spare a thought for those who received a lesser share of the thanks — those working in the social care sector.

In our often divided society, with families living miles apart, we increasingly depend on care homes to take care of our elderly parents and relatives.

And despite poor pay, and shortages of PPE in the early days of the crisis, they have done a remarkable job.

They have tried to lift residents’ spirits through the long lonely months with no visitors, and depite, in many cases, losing residents to the virus, have soldiered on with great reslience. Today we are happy to shine a spotlight on their unstinting care of elderly people in our communities.

As Andrea Pattison, who runs St Ronans Care Home in Southsea said: ‘The challenges we’ve faced this year have been unprecedented.

‘I could not be more proud of the way staff have risen to this challenge – they’ve gone above and beyond and shown amazing compassion and professionalism in caring for our residents.’

Hopes are now high that the advent of a vaccine will enable families to visit care home residents once more.

And we feel sure that when visitors are allowed back in, they will be as keen to thank staff for their hard work and professional care as they are to finally hug their loved ones.