Nursing homes ‘deprived of protective gear’

STAFF at nursing homes are being left short of protective equipment as supplies are being diverted to the NHS.

Masks, gloves and aprons have almost run out at several facilities around the country as equipment is sent to hospitals to keep front-line, medical staff protected.

But care homes say that risks thousands of vulnerable residents and staff falling ill as the virus spreads through social care establishments.

Already some homes have lost as many as a third of staff, with many putting themselves into self-isolation after displaying symptoms of coronavirus or protecting themselves because they have existing health conditions.

The managing director of a large Nottinghamshire nursing home told The Sunday Telegraph that her staff were having to work with “low grade” gloves and aprons and only had a few days’ supplies of masks and gloves left because her regular supplier was having to redirect stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the NHS.

Anita Astle, of Wren Hall Nursing Home, Selston, said the Government was failing to help what is a “front-line” service. “This is a national problem, with PPE being redirected to the NHS by suppliers and care and nursing homes left empty-handed,” she said. “There are care homes, home care workers and some hospital wards where there’s no PPE whatsoever.”

The Department of Health said suppliers had not been asked to divert stocks of PPE to the NHS. A spokesman added: “We are working around the clock to give the social care sector the equipment and support they need to tackle this outbreak. We are working closely with industry and social care providers to make sure care staff have the protection they deserve.”