Working with our most vulnerable people during the COVID-19 outbreak

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Summary of report content

Healthwatch St Helens felt it was important to understand what people living and working in nursing/care/residential homes and receiving domiciliary care were experiencing during the Covid-19 pandemic. They spoke to senior staff at 40 care homes and care agencies.

Senior staff felt that care workers were undervalued and not given the same recognition as other health care professionals. They felt that communication could have been clearer and more informative. 

Contact Cares was mentioned several times throughout this piece of work. The issue always the same, difficulty in making contact. The involvement of GPs also came under criticism, with some GPs refusing to visit, or indeed, take calls.

The Frailty Team, Infection Control Team and St Helens Council received high praise in terms of their willingness to help and their quick response times. Managers also mentioned how their staff were willing to take on extra shifts, cancel annual leave and even change or swap job roles to help out.

Finally, they appreciated the kindness of local people and businesses in donating food and making face masks. 

The report includes five recommendations including access to mobile testing, remote GP consultations, introduction of a regional care bank and support for the mental health of staff.

The report includes a response from the local authority, which sets out the changes they intend to make in light of the recommendations.

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General details

Local Healthwatch
Healthwatch St Helens
Publication date
Type of report
Report
Key themes
Cleanliness, Hygiene and Infection Control
Communication with patients; treatment explanation; verbal advice
Remote appointments and digital services
Written information, guidance and publicity
Lifestyle and wellbeing; wider determinants of health
Service organisation, delivery, change and closure
Staffing - levels and training

Methodology and approach

Was the work undertaken in partnership with another organisation?
No
Primary research method used
Interviews
If an Enter and View methodology was applied, was the visit announced or unannounced?
N/A

Details of health and care services included in the report

Details of health and care services included in the report
General Practice (GP)
Home care/domiciliary care including personal assistants and personal budgets
Care home
Name of service provider
St Helens Borough Council

Details of people who shared their views

Number of people who shared their views
0
Age group
Not known
Gender
Not known
Is the gender identity of people in the report the same as the sex they were assigned at birth?
Not known
Sexual orientation
Not known
Does this report feature carers?
No
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0
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