Verbal abuse of Powys social care workers is “deplorable”

Alison Bulman, who is corporate director with responsibility for social care at Powys County Council, has responded to media reports of care staff in the north of Powys receiving abuse and accused of spreading the Covid-19 virus.

We reported last week how Staff from The Hermitage care home in Welshpool have been shunned and criticised on a regular basis in recent weeks, according to the home's director Tanya Nesling who is urging the public to be more considerate.

This follows on from reports in August of care workers being “shunned” in their communities in a different part of the county.

“To say I was angry to read these reports is a major understatement,” said Ms Bulman. “Care workers have been doing amazing work during this pandemic and they should not have to put up with such ignorant comments from some members of the public as they go about their lives.”

The care sector has set clear guidance on how to work in as Covid-secure a way as possible, including strict hygiene procedures and compulsory use of PPE, which the council has supplied to the care sector. Care staff, whether employed by the council or working in the independent sector, are also provided with twice weekly Lateral Flow Tests.

“These are the workers that we were clapping on our doorsteps a while ago and now they are facing this – I think it's deplorable,” said Ms Bulman.

“Our neighbours, friends and family working in the care sector have been supporting our older people and our residents with learning disabilities throughout this pandemic and they deserve nothing but praise.”

Councillor Myfanwy Alexander, Powys County Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for adult social care, added: “The hard work, persistence, courage and cheerfulness of our care staff have made them the heroes of this pandemic: they deserve our full support and any ill-informed hostility towards them should be deplored.”