Opinion
Care homes and the pandemic one year on
Martin Barrett, managing director of south-east England care provider Nellsar and board member of the Surrey Care Association, takes a look at how far social care has come since the start of the pandemic and what the near future hold for the sector
As we move past the anniversary of the first UK national lockdown, it is worth pointing out that few could have predicted the severe impact the coronavirus pandemic would have on people’s everyday lives for so long no matter their profession, status or location. The social care sector, understandably,
came under unprecedented pressure to ensure residents and staff alike were kept safe, while continuing to operate functionally throughout the crisis. Indeed, whereas most businesses closed during the national lockdowns, care homes could not – the situation was relentless and even more than 12 months on we are still not out of the woods. In saying that, and while we of course
have to appreciate the detrimental effect Covid-19 has had on people’s lives – everyone knows a loved one or friend who has had the virus, if not themselves – it has not been all doom and gloom. Before the pandemic began and for decades, in fact, social care was seen as the little brother of health care, living in its shadow.
I am sure everyone associated with
the social care sector would back me up when I say the industry has not always had the appreciation and acknowledgment it deserves from national media and the like. We have some incredible people
working in our sector and it is important to note the pandemic did not bring them to the fore – they were always incredible. It merely exposed the courageous and selfless work being done on a national scale.
Everyday heroes Among the terribly unfortunate stories reported on our television screens almost every night last summer, there was also that glimmer of hope shown through the amazing work social care staff were doing – from board level down to frontline workers – to ensure resident safety. At Nellsar, we look after 13 care homes
Never before have we felt so appreciated. The ‘essential worker’ label, combined with the weekly ‘Clap for Carers’, really provided a boost to morale and motivation through the tough times
30
across south-east England and I have had the pleasure of witnessing these heroic stories first hand. From stepping up and launching new initiatives to nurture staff mental wellbeing at the height of the pandemic, to integrating new technologies to keep residents mentally and physically stimulated at a time when visitation from family and friends was restricted. We have even had carers who selflessly
and bravely took it upon themselves to leave their own families behind and move into some of our homes full time to protect those they care for. One carer, for instance, spent over two weeks living in one of our Kent homes. It is this bravery and determination to
put the safety of others before herself that led to the carer being nominated for a national award. Another example of pure heroism
came from our recreation and wellbeing manager, who travelled to each home in a minibus during the pandemic, announcing her arrival with a bugle before handing out PPE. It is this extraordinary trait of looking at the positives when faced with incredible pressure that makes social care workers a breath of fresh air during a crisis. While remarkable, these stories are not unbelievable or even surprising and –
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com • April 2021
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