Local health workers verbally abused

Reports that health workers in the area have been verbally abused over claims they are spreading Covid-19 have raised concerns by council bosses.

It has been claimed that some health workers at nursing homes and working in the community have been verbally abused by people.

Alison Bulman, Corporate Director with responsibility for social care at Powys County Council said she was very angry at the abuse.
 
"To say I was angry to read these reports is a major understatement," said Ms Bulman. "Care workers have been doing amazing work during this pandemic and they should not have to put up with such ignorant comments from some members of the public as they go about their lives."
 
Reports over the weekend highlighted a care home director in the north of the county who said that her staff were being 'treated like lepers'.

This follows on from reports in August of care workers being 'shunned' in their communities in a different part of the county.
 
The care sector has clear guidance on how to work in as Covid-secure a way as possible, including strict hygiene procedures and compulsory use of PPE, which the council has supplied to the care sector.

Care staff, whether employed by the council or working in the independent sector, are also provided with twice weekly Lateral Flow Tests.
 
"These are the workers that we were clapping on our doorsteps a while ago and now they are facing this - I think it's deplorable.  Our neighbours, friends and family working in the care sector have been supporting our older people and our residents with learning disabilities throughout this pandemic and they deserve nothing but praise," added Ms Bulman.
 
Councillor Myfanwy Alexander is Cabinet Member with responsibility for Adult Social Care and she added: "The hard work, persistence, courage and cheerfulness of our care staff have made them the heroes of this pandemic: they deserve our full support and any ill-informed hostility towards them should be deplored."