John Baron MP welcomes additional £600 million to support care homes

MP highlights testing for all care staff and residents

The Government is providing an additional £600 million to help reduce the spread of coronavirus in care homes, with Essex’s allocation of these funds standing at over £16 million. This forms part of a wider support package, including access to PPE and training, for the social care sector. In particular, the funds will be used for training on infection control for staff, reducing transmission by supporting providers to reduce workforce movements and stepping up NHS clinical support to care homes. The Government has also recently rolled out a wellbeing package for social care staff, including two new helplines led by the Samaritans and Hospice UK, to support care staff with their mental health and wellbeing.

John said,

“I welcome these additional funds to help support care homes, which have become part of the front-line of the coronavirus outbreak. This new money will be used to address the spread of the virus in these settings, step up NHS support and increase training, as well as supporting hard-working care staff who are doing such an excellent job at this difficult time. In addition, all social care staff and care home residents can be tested for the virus, regardless of whether they have symptoms.”