Care homes across Scotland have been promised direct deliveries of protective kit from government stockpiles as a taskforce is established to address ‘significant problems’.

Following a meeting between health and social care worker representative body UNISON Scotland and Health Secretary Jeane Freeman, a taskforce is being established that will seek to address concerns staff are being left unprotected as they work on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.

UNISON says its branches have been inundated with calls from staff concerned about PPE in their local hospitals and care settings.

“Our members have come to us in their droves to express their concerns about PPE availability, distribution and quality,” says Thomas Waterson, chair of UNISON Scotland health committee.

“The safety of health and care staff and the people they are caring for is paramount and we welcome the Cabinet Secretary’s agreement to address these concerns as a matter of urgency.

“The creation of a PPE taskforce will allow us to continue to voice our members concerns straight to the top of government.”

The news comes as the government promises personal protective equipment (PPE) is to be delivered direct to more than one thousand care homes across Scotland.

Scotland’s care homes are being hit hard by the pandemic. Earlier this week it was reported that around a quarter of the nearly 1,000 covid-19 deaths in Scotland have happened in care homes.

NHS National Services Scotland will prioritise the delivery of stock directly to care homes where the virus is known to be present.

Stock will also continue to be provided to local hubs which supply PPE to other social care workers, the government has said.

Each location will receive a week’s supply of equipment, including aprons, fluid resistant surgical masks and gloves.

The situation is to be reviewed next week based on information supplied by care homes on their own supply of PPE stock.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “The dedication of those who work in the care sector is hugely appreciated and ensuring those staff are protected is a priority for me.

“They are doing a remarkable job in very difficult circumstances, and we will support them as they do that.

“We have dedicated teams working on the procurement and distribution of PPE to our health and social care workers.

“I believe that providing additional supplies straight to care homes will ensure all care homes in Scotland have enough PPE to allow them to continue to safely provide care and support to their residents. It should also allow time for care homes to work on sourcing their own stock.

“We are also working closely with COSLA to ensure the existing service provided by the local hubs is working as efficiently as possible.”

Scottish Care Chief Executive Donald Macaskill says his organisation warmly welcomes the commitment:

“This will significantly support the protection of staff, residents and clients and the staff who care for and support them.

“I am grateful for the immediacy of response from Scottish Government and the recognition of the need to take these measures with urgency. All of us are working with determination in challenging circumstances to meet the threat of coronavirus.”

 

 

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