Dorset Council is working with the care sector across the county to support them in keeping residents and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic
Over recent weeks the case rates across Dorset rose significantly with many of those cases identified in isolated settings such as care homes.
Current case rates are not declining as quickly as hoped which is having an impact on the care sector.
Covid-19 is spreading much faster than previously which has led to higher levels of infection rates in care homes and other settings and is impacting staffing numbers.
Dorset Council is working hard to help care homes with workforce capacity and is having regular calls with care providers to give any other additional support needed. The council is also providing 24/7 emergency support.
Care homes are under significant pressure with the increased requirements of infection control, COVID testing and supporting the roll out of vaccinations. The council is working with the sector, through organisations such as the Dorset Care Home Association, to ensure that the right support and guidance is in place.
Rachel Partridge, Assistant Director of Public Health for Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Councils, said:
“Throughout the pandemic, we’ve been working with the care sector, local health partners and local authorities to ensure all necessary measures are in place to protect care home residents and staff. These measures are set out by national government guidance and include ensuring good access to personal protective equipment and infection prevention and control training. In addition, Care homes are able to carry out routine testing for staff and residents to identify and isolate positive COVID cases. I want to take the opportunity to acknowledge all the hard work and care that is being given daily during these really challenging times.
“Unfortunately, due to the high number of cases of COVID-19 in our communities we are also seeing an increase in the number of outbreaks in care settings across Dorset. We are working closely with those settings and key partners to monitor the situation and provide advice and support wherever it’s needed.”
Cllr Laura Miller, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health at Dorset Council said:
“It is not just our statutory duty, but also our moral duty to safeguard all residents and staff in care settings in Dorset. I am acutely aware that each resident is an individual person, many with families and loved ones, and our teams always have this at the forefront of everything they do in keeping people safe.
“As this is something that impacts on the lives of residents, their families and loved ones, and staff in care settings, I don’t feel it is appropriate for me to comment on individual care homes. They will continue to receive the high level of support they need and deserve at this time.”
Anna Knight, Chair of the Dorset Care Homes Association said:
“It is a terribly difficult, upsetting and challenging time for the care sector right now. We are working as hard as we possibly can, with the support of our local authority and health colleagues to ensure that our residents and staff remain as safe as possible by implementing the highest level of infection control prevention measures. There are many homes with open situations in Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole which clearly evidences just how virulent this virus is. We are working harder than we have ever worked before to try and keep COVID-19 at bay.
“Our residents and families are relying on us to look after their loved ones and we are determined to continue to ‘rise to the challenge.’ All the care teams in Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole are working as hard, as carefully and as professionally as they can. They need as much kindness, support and positivity as we can give them to help them carry on with their outstanding work. I am proud to be part of the care sector and even prouder of my colleagues.”
When we be able to visit again using lateral flow tests and ppe for visitors? Behind a screen is better than nothing.
Hi Sue. That will be for the government to decide. Do keep an eye on the regulations and keep in contact with the care home. I do appreciate that this is a stressful time for everyone who has loved ones in care homes. Best wishes, Alex.
Care homes need to administer vitamin D3 together with K2. D3 (the sunshine vitamin which care home residents get very little of) optimises the immune system helping to mount a good defence against viruses, bacteria and fungi. The cytokine storm is when the immune system goes haywire and starts attacking the body’s own cells. That’s what kills people. The medical authorities recommend 400 international units of D3 daily. That dose was established long ago as sufficient to avoid rickets, however it Is insufficient to cue up the immune system. There are many studies on the effectiveness of D3. Medical authorities are afraid high doses if D3 will cause calcifications of soft tissues but D3 needs to be taken with vitamin K2 which puts calcium where it should be–into the bones. D3 is cheap as chip as chips and it cannot be patented. I hope some people are motivated enough to find out more about D3. Read more in Jeff T Bowles book. The Miraculous Cure for and Prevention of All Diseases What Doctors Never Learned. (ps It’s actually a hormone)