PPE supplies are vital. Staff who are part of the private nursing sector or even the homecare sector are not being given the help that they need right now, and this is not good at all. Efforts are being done to try and make sure that nurses have the right protection and millions of items have been ramped up in an attempt to support those across the country. Meanwhile, the army have stepped in to try and make sure that the right help is being distributed.
They are taking urgent action to try and make sure that the frontline staff feel somewhat supported in this national emergency. Over the last few days, it would appear that over 200 organisations have now received fresh supplies that include face masks. When you look at every GP practice and even dental surgery, you will soon find that they have had their stock replenished as well.
This weeks’ plans are now in place to try and make sure that everyone has sterile masks and that home care providers also have the support they need too. It has been announced that the Army are going to try and manage and even offload PPE supplies to try and help the NHS to cope during this outbreak. The National Stockpile have also been reserving supplies to try and make sure that everything is being done to try and make sure that all of the right products are reserved. People have stated that there is going to be an adequate supply of PPE. Urgent action needs to be taken in order to make sure that staff are being supported as much as possible during this very difficult hour, but at the end of the day, only time will tell what is going to happen next.
Male nurses may be asked if they can shave their beards and any other facial hair to try and make sure that face masks fit properly. This is according to the NHS guidance. They have also been warned though that this could discriminate against those who work in private nursing or homecare because of local faith groups. They need to work out how to approach the issue going forward.
The RCN have called the government to try and support those who are returning to the NHS and the people who have worked there for quite some time. They want to make sure that they are given the right resources to try and handle the pandemic as the coronavirus moves through the country. The statement that has been released is essentially a three-point plan which is going to help manage the virus outbreak. £30 billion has been pledged so far and this is going to try and stop businesses from suffering. It is going to stop people from losing their jobs as well, as a result of the virus. The NHS have been promised a good chunk of this funding to try and make sure that they can bring back any retired staff. If you work in homecare or if you want to join the private nursing sector, then you should know that more needs to be done to try and give support to those who need it. An extra £6 billion is going to be given to the NHS England to try and fund GP surgeries and any new appointments that are being made. Health care commitments are now being more focused than ever on some of the frontline services. After all, they need to be given the support that they need to function properly, and they also need to be given the government’s support regarding nurses and those who have autism/learning disabilities.
Of course, everyone is doing everything they can at this given moment but some worry that it is not enough and that more needs to be done in order to make sure that the outbreak is being stopped. If not, then it could have a much bigger impact on the country.
A lot of people have written to the Prime Minister to try and ensure that his intervention is offered given the supply of PPE for staff during this current pandemic. The letter comes after a lack of PPE equipment was given to the frontline staff. People are calling for the equipment to be delivered to GP surgeries and even care homes.
The letter has called on the Prime Minister to see if they can increase the amount of tests that are being done for the virus and for nursing staff as well. This is being made so that those who have the possible symptoms of Covid 19 are able to know if they are actually infected or not. In the letter, the RCN chief stated that the members have been unstinting in their professionalism and their dedication to try and keep the healthcare sector in the UK growing. At the end of the day though, they need to make sure that they are being given the support that they need in return. Those who are part of the homecare sector or even the private nursing sector will know more than anyone how difficult the times are right now and what needs to be done in
order to ensure that the staff do not go unprotected.
The Prime Minister has been told that the members have gone to the ends of the earth in order to ensure the safety of others and that they have to be supported. This is mainly targeted to those who are coming out of retirement, but at the end of the day it really does apply to the whole sector. Only time will tell if something is going to be done but right now, people are hopeful.
It has come to light that those who have a job in private nursing or in homecare are now being forced to work in facilities that are in need of either investment or repair. All of this is putting patients at risk and this is not good for anyone.
Mental health services do require a huge amount of capital investment- but that being said, the majority of trusts would not be able to access the capital they need even if investments were made. Staff are being forced to care for patients who are in buildings that have outlived their original purpose. Two thirds of mental health trusts are not going to get the funding they need this year. A lot of the funding is for urgent repairs, or so they can upgrade their facilities. It has been warned that this sheer lack of investment is now putting patients at risk and that a lot of people are being cared for in wards that are just not suitable. The report has also revealed that around 27% of trusts thought that the allocated funding would not even meet half of what they need.
In addition to this, 2 out of 3 mental health trusts have estimated that they are going to need £50m-£150m of capital over the next 10 years. One trust have stated that they require half a billion as this is the only way that they are going to be able to address maintenance. A lot of trusts out there desperately want to try and give their patients the service that they need but they are not going to be able to do this if they are not able to get the repairs to their facility done on time. Only time will tell what the future holds but right now, the funding just isn’t covering what the trusts need.
Researchers who are in Northumbria are now embarking on a project that is worth well over £100,000. The whole thing is ultimately aimed at getting a much better understanding of those who treat patients who have Parkinson’s disease. Northumbria University are running the two-year project and the whole thing is being funded by Parkinson’s UK. There is a lot of hope for people to try and develop an evidence-based program that will have a positive impact on both nurses and patients.
Almost half of health visitors feel as though they are so stretched that they fear that a tragedy is going to happen where they work. The Institute of Health Visiting service have reacted to the findings by calling for extra regulatory protection for the profession in general and also by having new-ring fenced funding as well. The government pledge is to try and give every child the start that they deserve. Some believe that this has been left in tatters.
The government have cast a lot of doubt in regards to the overall ability of the NHS England. They don’t believe that they are going to be able to deliver the flagship pledge, which involves having 50,000 more nurses. This comes from a leaked email. If you work in homecare or private nursing then you will know how dire the staffing situation is right now, but it would appear that nothing is going to change until action is taken.
