It is a job with risks in these pandemic times – giving intimate care to people in their own homes. Already these carers are exposed because of a lack of PPE and now there is a risk of it running out. They have even purchased some out of their own pockets.
Here Halina Caswell and Marina Sharma – of Bluebird Care, based in this Borough – describe the how the PPE shortage could shortly halt care for some disabled, elderly and isolated people. It also threatens the carers and their families.
Of aprons, Halina says: "We might run out. I'm on my last week's supply of aprons. No masks and they've run out of hand gel…"
Q: "It's going to grind to a halt…?
Halina: "Come next week, I don't know what I'll be doing. I'll be having to contact NHS or Hounslow Council to see who can support us because we are going to be coming to a stage where our care might have to stop."