CORONAVIRUS: Council steps in to support care providers in Hartlepool with protective equipment

Published Wednesday, 22nd April 2020

Care home staff and staff supporting people in their own homes in Hartlepool are getting the protection they need with the Council stepping in to make sure they receive adequate stocks of PPE.

Hartlepool Borough Council has been distributing protective masks, gloves, aprons and reusable protective glasses to ensure staff and residents have protection from the Coronavirus.

So far, the Council has delivered almost 30,000 surgical masks to care homes, home care providers and people supported in the community by personal assistants.

Over 1,200 pairs of reusable protective glasses have also been distributed, some of which were donated by local schools.

Ensuring care homes and home care providers in Hartlepool receive this crucial equipment is a key element in the battle against Coronavirus as these providers support some of the most vulnerable people in the local community – although many care providers up and down the country are struggling to access supplies.

Hartlepool Borough Council has been able to secure stocks not just through the Government’s national supply chain but also from additional sources it has independently secured.

Councillor Shane Moore, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “PPE has been one of the main issues of the Coronavirus crisis and Council staff have worked tirelessly to source supplies to support care homes, home care providers and personal assistants across the borough.

“We haven’t been able to rely purely on Government PPE supplies so we have also sourced our own supplies and I’m very grateful to staff for the great initiative they have shown in this work.

“Care workers need this equipment and I would like to reassure all residents we are working tirelessly to ensure these key workers are able to work as safely as possible.”

Wendy Dick, Manager at Seaton Hall Care Home, said: “Hartlepool Borough Council’s Commissioning Team has been very supportive during this difficult time. 

“We have received daily telephone calls asking us how we are and if we need support and valuable PPE has also been sourced and delivered to us.

“We feel we are not on our own dealing with this pandemic and we are very grateful for this.”

Stacey Skirving, Registered Manager for the Home Group, said: “Hartlepool Borough Council has been extremely supportive throughout this uncertain time and has communicated key messages on an almost daily basis.

“They’ve been available to monitor that our customers and colleagues are safe, have offered a caring approach throughout and have delivered PPE on a very fast basis.

“This gives the service confidence that we are – and will continue to be – supported throughout this.”

Gail Defty, Care Services Manager for the Hospital of God, said: “Good things happen when Councils and communities come together and I have got to say in these unprecedented times the amazing work that is being carried out by our communities – led by Hartlepool Borough Council – is something to be really proud of.

“These difficult times have tested us all, but we would like to thank Hartlepool Borough Council for their help and support.”