'Enormous effort' to protect council's homecare service

The assurance comes after the Local Government Association, which represents councils across the country, raised concerns about the supply of equipment to local authority workers.

Karen Smith, director of adult services at Blackpool Council, said protecting staff was ‘vital’ and the homecare service was operating as normal during the coronavirus outbreak.

She said: “We are working to national guidance with regards to PPE when visiting people’s homes as the protection of individuals and our key workers is vital, this includes staff who are providing hands on care.

“National guidance changes frequently, however we are following that advice and sourcing and supplying to those that need it the appropriate PPE.

“This has taken an enormous effort by everyone involved to ensure that our own staff and those of all our care providers have what they need to do their job safely.

“The supply of PPE is being monitored across the county by the Lancashire Resilience Forum which is co-ordinating the response to this national emergency.

“It is also helping with mutual aid, sourcing of stock, managing supply lines and logistics.

“Our homecare service is operating as normal thanks to the great efforts and commitment of our teams and supporting organisations.”

Coun Ian Hudspeth, chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said some councils had had to appeal for help from local businesses for PPE, but extra supplies were now arriving across the country.

He said: “Social care staff and other council workers are at the forefront of responding to the coronavirus. They are doing an incredible and dangerous job in extremely challenging circumstances.

“We have been working with the Government to ensure more PPE is available for everyone who needs it, including those working in home care and care homes.”