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The care crisis is about more than PPE
Housing providers are struggling to source adequate supplies of PPE – but that’s just one element of our care crisis, writes Martin Hilditch
Two weeks ago the ExtraCare Charitable Trust issued a cry for help on social media that could not have been more stark.
“This is an urgent appeal,” it stated. “Please help us care safely for our residents during the COVID-19 outbreak. We desperately need your help.”
The trust’s appeal – targeting businesses around Bristol – was for personal protective equipment (PPE) such as surgical masks, plastic-sleeved aprons, gloves, face shields and goggles. It asked businesses that might have supplies to donate or sell.
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Other housing and care providers have taken similar steps. Nottingham Community Housing Association issued a similar appeal “so we can continue to deliver essential care and support services across the region”. It was asking for surgical masks, and disposable gloves and aprons “to protect our customers and employees”.
Suppliers of PPE that have helped providers include nail bars and tattoo parlours. While it’s great that the sector has shown ingenuity in the hunt for PPE, relying on the local tattooist to keep the show on the road is edgy stuff.
While broadly providers delivering care and support have managed to keep things going, the fear from those we have spoken to is that they might not be able to for much longer.
The issue of PPE in care homes is now getting the national attention it deserves – but there is more scrutiny needed on the supply chain for supported housing more widely.
All of the above raises important questions. First, what happens if some providers run out or have a supply of PPE that is inadequate to deliver even the basics safely? What’s Plan B? Second, the government’s PPE plan, published last week, outlines when and where it is appropriate to wear PPE – but to what extent are residents and staff going to be comfortable following those guidelines? A quick look at people out for their daily exercise routines demonstrates that many are attempting to protect themselves more stringently than the guidelines suggest is necessary.
The pandemic has also shone a light on the vital work that care and support providers deliver. Yet salaries still often bump along at the level offered by local burger chains. We need to reprioritise this work as a society (is anyone still maintaining this is low skilled?).
Also, we can’t continue to ignore wider funding of social care and continue to kick the Social Care Green Paper down the line. This week the focus has been on a crisis in care, but the truth is that crisis was already the norm.
Martin Hilditch, editor, Inside Housing
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