Emergency staff called into care home with dozens of residents showing Covid-19 symptoms

By Eleanor Barlow, Reporter1st April 2020News EnglandCare Homes, Coronavirus / Covid-19, Liverpool, News England, North West, Older People, Residential Care

Emergency staff have been called in to a care home where almost two thirds of residents were showing coronavirus symptoms following two deaths.

The Oak Springs care home (pictured) in Wavertree, Liverpool, was operating with a quarter of its usual staff numbers due to Covid-19, Labour MP Paula Barker said.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Ms Barker said: “Earlier today, I was devastated to hear that two Wavertree residents, both living at Oak Springs care home, had recently passed whilst displaying symptoms of coronavirus.

“My thoughts and sincere condolences are with those affected.

“A further three residents have recently been admitted into hospital.

“Forty-two of its remaining 66 residents are now exhibiting symptoms similar to those created by the virus.

“This care home is now operating with only a quarter of its usual staff numbers.

“Today, I and my team have spoken to a number of different people including the care home registered manager, the Care Quality Commission, the city mayor, the portfolio holder as well as senior council officers involved in public health and social services.”

On Wednesday, a spokesman for Liverpool City Council said it had helped to secure agency staff and support had been provided by the infection control team.

The council’s director of public health Matthew Ashton said: “One of the key pressure points is care homes.

“Up and down the country, care homes, by their nature, have vulnerable people living in them and they need to be protected.

“We will try and find support in the system for staffing or advice and guidance for their own staff and management.”

Cabinet member for adult social care and health, Councillor Paul Brant added: “The city council has been supporting care homes and home care providers in the city since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak.

“We have also been coordinating mutual aid through our NHS commissioners and providers and supporting the sector through planning to meet personal protective equipment requirements, recruiting new staff into the sector, coordinating agency resource, helping with infection control and providing a wide range of advice every day.”