Covid-positive care home staff work amid shortage

A care home owner has said she was "forced" to ask two staff with Covid-19 to work because of a staff shortage.

The Caledonia home in Holyhead, Anglesey, said 11 of its 12 residents had Covid and the two staff only cared for residents who were also positive.

Ann Bedford said Anglesey council and an agency had both been unable to provide emergency cover for staff who were sick or isolating. After speaking to social services, it was agreed the staff could work.

"I have never known a situation as bad as we faced over the last weekend. As a matter of course we have contingency plans in place to cope in emergencies but even these buckled under the strain," she said.

"My heart sinks when I think about the weeks and months ahead. We felt abandoned and alone. I called on social services for help but they were facing their own emergencies."

"The shortage of carers on Anglesey is at dangerous levels and is being intensified by the pandemic."

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Source: BBC News, 8 September 2021