Welsh Govt to investigate

COUNCIL DENIES CLAIMS IT‘ ABANDONED’ OUTBREAK-HIT DEMENTIA CARE FACILITY

COUNCIL chiefs have rejected claims a private care home specialising in dementia care was “abandoned” during a staffing crisis - forcing Covid-infected workers to look after residents.

The owner of the Caledonia home at Holyhead, where 11 of the 12 residents have coronavirus, said it only “survived” the weekend because two employees who had also tested positive for Covid agreed to work the night shift.

With so many workers off ill or self-isolating, there would have been no night staff otherwise, only three day staff, no cleaners and only one cook.

The Welsh Government is now investigating “as a matter of urgency”. A multiagency Incident Management Team has been convened to manage the outbreak.

“The Caledonia, whose residents are all double vaccinated, is now in lockdown until September 29.

Owner Ann Bedford, had said: “We felt abandoned and alone.

“I called on social services but they were facing their own emergencies.

“The shortage of carers on Anglesey is at dangerous levels and intensified by the pandemic.”

Anglesey council agreed the care sector and local authorities across Wales is facing recruitment challenges, compounded by the pandemic.

But a spokesman said on Thursday: “Decisions in respect of emergency care provision at the Caledonia have been taken in the best interest of residents.

“We would reject claims that this private care home was abandoned.

“Our officers, together with colleagues in health, have worked very closely with Ms Bedford to respond to her staffing shortages since this issue was brought to our attention.

“Our staff and those from health have worked to identify shift cover at the Caledonia until the weekend ensuring residents do not have to leave their home.

“We have provided a great deal of support during an extremely challenging period for all involved and will continue to do so.”

The Welsh Government said it was “concerned” staff had been asked to work despite testing positive for Covid.

A spokesman said: “We are looking into the circumstances as a matter of urgency.

“We have provided local authorities with £50m of additional funding to help deal with these staffing challenges.

“We are also working with unions, providers and local government through the Social Care Fair Work Forum, to improve the working conditions of social care workers and we have a national social care recruitment campaign running.”