Call goes out to help with loved ones’ care

People across Airdrie and Coatbridge are being asked to help where possible with a loved one’s care to protect under pressure care at home services.

The objective is to minimise service users and staff ’s potential exposure to coronavirus and create vital capacity to assist those with the highest levels of medical need.

Lanarkshire is already supporting more in-patients with Covid-19 than at any other point in the pandemic, with further significant increases projected over the coming weeks as NHS services face unprecedented pressure.

As a result, patient safety is being prioritised with patients being discharging as soon as they are medically fit to leave hospital in order to minimise the potential of them having any exposure to the virus.

Consequently, Covid-19 is presenting care at home services with increasing capacity challenges.

Families and carers of those currently in receipt of home care are also being asked to help. Tasks may include dressing, cleaning and cooking if safe to do so.

Ross Mcguffie, chief officer for health and social care North Lanarkshire, said: “Our relationships with people in both our communities are as crucial as they’ve ever been as unprecedented demand on our work forces becomes increasingly pronounced.

“To help us reduce this strain and focus on the most medically unwell, we are asking for the public’s help.

“We’re asking for family, carers and friends of someone in need of care at home to help out where possible and only if it is safe to do so.

“Family, friends and carers are being asked to help until current pressures recede. Where circumstances seriously change, service users or carers are asked to contact a member of their care team.

“Both partnerships are prioritising care at home services for the most vulnerable in our communities.”

Home based The goal is to minimise service user and staff’s potential exposure to Covid-19