List of failures shows how little government understands about care sector
Commenting today (Thursday) on the Prime Minister’s claim everything possible was done to limit Covid spread in care homes, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “It’s simply not true the government did all it could to protect the care sector.
“Discharging hospital patients into care homes without testing was a colossal mistake that could and should have been avoided. It’s just one of many ways that the government has failed care staff, residents and their families.
“The absence of full sick pay meant financial pressures forced many care staff to carry on working when they should have been in isolation. Ministers knew but when they finally acted it was too little, too late.
“Protective safety kit shortages, inadequate testing and unclear guidance left staff anxious and confused, and gave the virus free rein early on.
“The pandemic has shown how little the government understands the broken, fragmented and underfunded care system.
“Reform and additional funding are badly needed. It’s two years since the Prime Minister promised he had a plan. The time for excuses has long gone.”
Media contacts:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in both the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: [email protected]
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: [email protected]