Supporting the fantastic work being done by carers

East Riding of Yorkshire Council continues to actively support all 140 residential care homes and some 40 care home providers which are caring for thousands of vulnerable people across the county.

The East Riding care sector has been magnificent in providing care and support during this pandemic, not only providing strong and effective infection and prevention control with good hygiene practices but also supporting people to live as best a life they can at this time. 

John Skidmore, director of adults, health and customer services at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “I am incredibly proud of our carers and care home staff working hard to keep residents safe during these difficult times.

“I have seen many examples of how care staff are providing activities, events and things to do to put a smile on their residents’ faces and to re-assure their families that their loved one is being well cared for in these unprecedented times.

“I have been humbled and have shed a tear or two with the wonderful things care staff have done to support people so yes, there are still lots of great things happening in East Riding care homes.

“We as a council want all our residents to know that we have good strong positive relationships with all our care homes and the home care providers who deliver care in a person’s own home.

“We are all working incredibly hard together to do our very best and support around 10,000 people who provide care to vulnerable people across the East Riding.

“The care staff are fantastic and are working around the clock to support our loved ones who need help and support.

“Our dedicated response room continues to operate seven days a week to support all care providers who we are calling every day throughout the week, so we can check on their PPE supplies, staffing levels, how they are supporting residents, what issues they face and how best we can support them.

“We are also holding weekly conference calls with all care providers so we share information and support each other. On these calls we also hear about the wonderful things that they are doing to bring a smile to residents’ faces with a whole range of activities.

“We also know that many people are supporting their loved ones at home and this includes people with behaviours that challenge. We are in touch with many families as we work to explore what more we can do in the coming weeks and months ahead.

“Digital technology is key to providing links into care home settings to support families to have contact with their loved one and to support health and care professionals to provide digital consultations. We are working hard with the care sector to increase the use of technology and explore how we can use it to bring more activities online into the home. 

“Responding to this pandemic has to be a team effort and no one organisation can deal with this on their own so we are working closely with all our NHS health partners, our amazing providers and with our communities so we collectively make the biggest impact in managing the consequences of COVID-19 so that together, we are doing our upmost for all of our residents.

“I am very proud of all of our keyworkers but most especially those that provide care to the most vulnerable, ensuring people remain safe at home and doing lots of great things in East Riding care homes with everyone dedicated to supporting our loved ones to live the best life they can in these extraordinary times.”

For information about health and wellbeing topics visit happyandwell.me

For more information about the council’s services during the pandemic visit www.eastriding.gov.uk/coronavirus