Care Home Staff: Who do they work for... - British Heart Fou...

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Care Home Staff

Prada47 profile image
13 Replies

Who do they work for ?? Am correct in thinking it is a combination of Council and Private Sector ?? It's just when it's on the News that they don't have say PPE I wonder who is responsible for the provision of said PPE. I just wish they would make it clear who is responsible !!

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Prada47 profile image
Prada47
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13 Replies
Nathan53 profile image
Nathan53

Most Care Homes are privately run now and employ there own staff, there are very few Council run Care Homes. My understanding is that the private Care Homes purchase their own kit but are having trouble obtaining supplies and are also struggling financially.

Prada47 profile image
Prada47 in reply toNathan53

Thanks Nathan it's just it always seems it's the NHS to blame I do wish they would make it clear.

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in reply toNathan53

Why are they struggling financially have they stopped charging the residents?

Nathan53 profile image
Nathan53 in reply to

I have often wondered that in last but it's complex. A lot of clients are council funded and councils, because they are so cash strapped have failed to keep pace with increasing care costs. This is a huge subject and I am by no means an expert but we don't fund care properly as with the NHS and ultimately it is often the front line staff who work in those organisations that are under the most pressure. Carers watching the clock knowing they are going to be late for there next client. I recall with my Mother's care she was allocated a 30 minute call in the morning for personal care and breakfast. Now as her dementia progressed she became slower in movement, communication everything to the point where the Care Organisation felt they needed at least an hour's call. After a struggle the council agreed to up to 45 minutes but I had to battle to secure this. The attached articles give an insight into the problem localgov.co.uk/Council-cuts...

theguardian.com/society/201...

in reply toNathan53

Sorry I read it as Care Homes rather than Home carers

gilreid1 profile image
gilreid1

My wife runs (manager) of a Church of Scotland care home. They are solely dependent on private purchases. But during this horrible time the local community have been tremendous. Donations include face masks. Hand sanitizer. They are down the order for buying PPE and just hope they can source. Just for the record there is no legal requirement for PPE but thankfully most care homes have put in place stringent risk assessments and are doing there best to protect employees and residents. Can I also add that care workers are not on the at risk category

Nathan53 profile image
Nathan53 in reply togilreid1

The role of Care Workers is vastly underestimated. Care Workers are often supporting and in very close contact with clients who are having increasingly complex care needs. I saw a Manager of a Care Home in the South of England being interviewed today and he was at a loss to understand why he was being asked to take clients who were being discharged from hospital with Covid19, these were not recovered people but people with major ongoing symptoms. Of course you will be more aware than me but I just wanted to add my support to need for Care Workers to have PPE.

Tugela profile image
Tugela in reply toNathan53

I am a private live in carer. I have no option but to go to work as these vulnerable adults cannot manage alone. I care mostly for the husband and assist the wife. We are running out of gloves and having to wash out a catheter night bag as stock is low. Scary times and these poor people are petrified. We have DN coming today ..i hope she doesn't bring germs in .... but it's forward i go .. disinfecting everything in sight.

Nathan53 profile image
Nathan53 in reply toTugela

You do an amazing job and sorry you run low on equipment. As a live in Carer you have little time to have free space so it will be intense. My Father In Ok as has live in care so I have seen first hand how people like you make it possible for others to live in there own homes with dignity an option which is usually best for the client and while it is not my priority is better value for the Health Service despite the obstacle those needing care face in securing it. Lest you feel 'lost' at times you are valued.

Tugela profile image
Tugela in reply toNathan53

Thanks nathan .... is bit claustrophobic the moment... but we can do this!

STUBAX profile image
STUBAX

My wife works in a dementia day centre run by the council, very little protective equipment available (gloves only as per norm) but are mixing with people from the community daily. 😱

Statex profile image
Statex

In my experience it is mainly the private sector. I believe some council run homes exist but only a few. One interesting fact is that the private care home owners are always bleating about their costs and lack of profits but one of the richest men in Essex owns a string of care homes.

He was in Essex Life Magazine which ran an article on the Essex rich list and he was at the top.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

My friend who is now 77 years old works full time as a carer. Her husband is very vulnerable with severe heart problems. She often works 12 hour shifts for a private company on minimum wage but she won't stop even now because her "ladies" depend on her totally. Many wouldn't eat, dress or be able tow ash without her visits. She thinks she's lucky because she has disposable gloves and a flimsy mask.

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