We need to do better for people living and working in care homes. It’s taking two weeks to get tests and results for people showing COVID-19 symptoms, something that’s happening right now to a 94 year-old in a care home in Hove.
I’ve been in touch with staff at the home since this started. They are amazing, doing their very best in an impossible situation. Despite none of the personal protective equipment they begged for arrived, they’ve soldiered on with the loving care to some of our most vulnerable citizens. Seven staff are now off sick. 14 out of 20 residents are showing symptoms, and as I write this I’m not aware of any test results being returned.
I shared this story with the prime minister in the Commons today. I asked him a simple question: when will care home residents get tested the day they exhibit symptoms and staff get the protective equipment they need?
The prime minister made no commitment for testing but said every care home would get the protective equipment it needed by the end of *this week*. Do you work in a care home or know someone who does? Please share this post with them because I want to make sure government deliver on this promise, I want to hear from anyone that works in a care home this weekend to make sure it’s been delivered and is being used.
There are thousands of care homes across Britain and they support people who have so much for our country and now look to us to care for them. I can’t stand by while they are put at risk.
I’ll do everything I can to help government get this right. Today I tried to give voice to care home residents and staff in the Commons directly to the prime minister. Now I’ll be throwing myself into delivering that change for the people who need it most.
