Coronavirus: Access to PPE 'not working' warns Independent Care Group chairman
Mike Padgham, the chairman for the Independent Care group for York and North Yorkshire has told The Yorkshire Post the Government have been "caught out" and the promise to provide adequate PPE "hasn't worked".
"It's a pity they (the Government) didn't see us as in the front line much earlier," he said.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"They say they are sorting testing out and they are sorting PPE out but I've heard that before.
"At the moment it's not working, it hasn't worked."
Mr Padgham is also the managing director of the Scarborough-based care provider St Cecilia's, which operates four care homes across North Yorkshire, where 3 residents have died and another five still have symptoms of COVID-19.
His comments come after the Government has promised an increased focus on containing the spread of coronavirus in care homes after they faced fresh criticism over protective equipment being produced locally and hand-delivered due to shortages.While Mr Pagham said he welcomed the new social measures put forward, he said said the Government should have reacted to the need for help in care homes and hospices sooner in the UK, as further deaths of residents were reported.
"There has been a bit of a lag," he said. "The problem is we have heard it a few times before and it's not materialised."
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHe added: "I think eventually the PPE will get up but the amount needed nationally is absolutely tremendous."
"The problem is demand out there and I know it is a massive problem across Yorkshire."
Mr Padgham said his staff currently had sufficient levels of PPE for the next couple of days but only because they had build up stock over the month through their own commercial suppliers.
"If we get more cases then the PPE runs out quicker and the question is can we sustain it," he said.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"And other care homes in Yorkshire haven't been able to make the needed orders.
"I say to the Government don't leave it too much longer because we need it today.
"If it hasn't started sorting itself out by Monday then the words said will be a little bit hollow".
Mr Padgham added he was not able to order any gowns for his staff - the piece of PPE used to protect the body of those who might come into contact with coronavirus.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe gown should be made of water-resistant material and have long sleeves.
The Government said 55,000 more gowns were arriving in the UK on Friday, but admitted to facing "challenges".
"I would like to get some full gowns and I can't get those for luck nor money anywhere," he said.
__________________________________________
Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAlmost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.
And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.
Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.
If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.
Sincerely. Thank you.
James Mitchinson
Editor
Comment Guidelines
National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.