Coronavirus: Care firm hunts for masks and aprons despite government promise of free PPE

Home care firm Penrose Care has told homecare.co.uk that the government’s promise of a ‘free issue’ of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a far cry from the reality with its managing director searching at retail outlets for more masks and aprons to protect staff and clients from the coronavirus.

Robert Stephenson-Padron, the managing director of Penrose Care contacted his local CCG to request a free issue of PPE, and was asked to email the COVID-19 Enquiries NCL (North London Partners in Health and Care) .

Home care firm’s supplier out of stock

However, when Mr Stephenson-Padron informed them his local supplier had run out of masks and aprons, Covid-19 Enquiries NCL emailed back:

‘Could you also liaise with your neighbourhood practices and hubs to see if they are able to supply in the interim’.

The vagueness of the response left Mr Stephenson-Padron reeling and doubtful that even GP practices could help.

“My main concern is that if the government is going to make statements they should be credible and well-thought out”, said Mr Stephenson-Padron.

“Last Friday, the guidance said a ‘free issue of PPE’ would be available but this week they cannot offer it.

“It is lucky I stocked up with sanitisers early for my care workers and clients. I also have PPE equipment but will need to get more. I’m not going to wait. I will check to see if there is any at retail outlets.”

Care worker isolated

Last night (16 March), Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the nation that anyone who lives with someone with COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate with everyone else in their household for 14 days.

As a result, a care worker at Penrose Care was unable to come to work and has had to self-isolate from today because her housemate has COVID-19 symptoms.

Robert Stephenson-Padron said: “There are a lot of young care workers like her who share houses with lots of people. Following the government’s announcement, she has not been able to come to work."

Care rationing

Penrose Care has 20 care workers and 15-20 clients.

“If we get to a point where we have not enough staff and we have to ration care, we would limit care to feeding and hydrating clients, medicine management and personal care.

”For our clients, most of whom live in blocks of flats, we have stopped entertainment. That means we have advised them not to go out for walks, we are not taking them out for exercise, shopping, swimming, to see family and friends, cinema etc."

The company has also stopped conducting spot checks (involving managers visiting clients at home) and all face to face staff meetings have been stopped.

“There was already a labour shortage which got worse since the 2016 UK referendum on Brexit. Local authorities should check to see which care providers have spare capacity in terms of staff.”

On 13 March, the government guidance for adult social care indicated home care providers should consider sharing workforces to deliver care.

The managing director of Penrose Care said he would be willing to work with other home care providers to ensure care services continue.

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care told homecare.co.uk “The government has not withdrawn the offer of free PPE for care providers.”

To read government guidance on home care provision (published March 13) click here