Monklands’ carers have been praised for their “help and compassion” in supporting loved ones and friends during the coronavirus pandemic to assist “under-pressure” services.
Health and social care officials say the help has been invaluable in helping look after the area’s most vulnerable residents while minimising potential exposure to Covid-19 for care at home service users and staff.
Ross McGuffie, the chief officer of Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire (HSCNL), said: “This has been a very unusual year which has placed many demands on us all – and more more than any other year, our partnerships with people in our communities have been crucial during the ongoing unprecedented demand on our workforces.
“The contributions of our carers, paid and unpaid, have been phenomenal and been a massive help for staff; and as a result, we’ve been able to target our resources on helping our most medically unwell and vulnerable residents.
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“Families, loved ones, friends and carers have been magnificent and it’s important they understand just how grateful we are for their assistance and compassion.”
South Lanarkshire counterpart Val de Souza added: “The significant challenges since the onset of the pandemic led to both partnerships prioritising careat home services for the most vulnerable, and we’re hugely grateful for the support we have received from our communities and carers.
“It’s been a time of great uncertainty, and the commitment and flexibility shown by carers continues to be very much valued as I know the pressure a great many of them have been under.”
A new checklist to help people in safely assisting loved ones reminds carers to follow the FACTS public health advice and ensure they are well before lending assistance; self-isolate if required by displaying coronavirus symptoms and consider other relatives or neighbours who could offer help instead; and ensuring that the Care at Home team is immediately informed if a service user or carer has Covid symptoms.
