Somerset needs more carers
Somerset’s local authorities and NHS Trusts are jointly calling for care workers to come forward and play a vital role in tackling Coronavirus pressures.
The county needs to ensure more hospital beds are available for patients with the coronavirus. To do this, hospitals, councils and care providers will be working together to increase the number of medically-well people who can be discharged home or to a residential care home.
This means there will be a need for more carers and more care home beds.
Extra rooms have been bought in care homes across the county and at least one redundant care home will be brought back into use. Local authority staff are being retrained to work in care, but more are needed across the care sector.
As many of those leaving hospital will need care support, either at home or in a care home Somerset’s local authorities are appealing for former care workers to come forward and help further strengthen the system.
They are looking for people who have ideally worked in care settings before and have retired or moved into different fields.
These will be paid positions working for care providers, initially Somerset Care, the county’s largest care provider. Refresher training and support will be provided.
The following roles are needed:
- Care home workers who can assists with personal care
- Nurses who can oversee care plans
- Domestic support – cleaning and preparing meals
- Gardeners and property maintenance
Anyone who thinks they may be able to help should call 0300 123 2224.