Care staff who care

sir – As I am an out-of-hours GP, a large part of my job is visiting care-home residents. Sadly, in recent days, most visits have been to confirm deaths, with Covid-19 as the suspected cause.

GPS in surgeries are encouraged to take a more remote approach, with video and telephone consultations. This option is not open to the carers in such homes, who continue to provide hands-on, compassionate care.

Though not afforded professional status or a salary to match, these carers choose, as they always have, to behave as professionals nonetheless.

If there is to be any positive legacy from the pandemic, I would urge the Government and opposition parties to recognise that an integrated, centrally funded National Health and Care Service is the only way forward.

Dr Marion Latimer

St Helens, Lancashire