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Thursday, April 23 2020 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER / WOKINGHAM.TODAY
RBH emergency unit still safe to visit reassures CEO � Continued from front page
Hospice helps care homes cope with Covid-19 By MARIE WILLIAMS news@wokinghampaper.co.uk
HOSPICE STAFF have offered care homes access to their community services in a bid to support residents. Last week, Thames Hospice chief executive Debbie Raven offered help to care homes across the borough, as concerns grow about the impact of the coronavirus on the sector.
Ms Raven said: “We have seen across our entire health system that organisations are having to continually change and adapt in the face of this unprecedented situation. “At Thames Hospice we reviewed our existing services and made the decision to expand our Community Team to be able to support and care for more patients facing a terminal illness in their own homes, to help reduce the risk and spread of infection and, where possible, to avoid admission to hospital. “We also felt it was critical to reach out to our fellow local health care partners and offer them access to our community services to help them continue to provide the highest level of care and support to their residents at this uncertain time.” Local care homes will now be able to call the Hospice’s telephone advice line on 01753 848925
for support and advice if they are concerned about a resident’s health and well-being. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is managed by a team of clinical nurse specialists. If required, the Hospice says it can also arrange for its clinical team to visit a care home resident and provide medical support, as well as admission to the Inpatient Unit for symptom management or end-of-life care. Ms Raven added: “One of the most humbling aspects of the coronavirus so far is the willingness of so many people who work in health and social care to risk their own health and well-being to give the care, support and treatment urgently needed by so many people across the UK. “Together, we can – and we will –beat this.”
Salon owners ask Theresa May to help £500,000 insurance claim
Mr McManus added: “We’ve changed the layout of the hospital so the areas treating coronavirus patients are completely separate from other public areas of the building and no one is being put at any undue risk.” The hospital is still advising anyone with coronavirus type symptoms of a new, continuous cough or temperature of 37.8ºC (100ºF) should follow guidelines and go to 111 online or, if they don’t have online access, to ring NHS 111 and self isolate for seven days. If their symptoms worsen or don’t get any better then they should ring their GP who will advise them on the phone and may refer to one of our new PC Hubs for further assessment. And people are reminded about the range of other health care facilities including local pharmacists and minor injuries units. For more details, visit www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk
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EXCLUSIVE By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk
HAVING paid more than £43,000 to their insurer for coverage of human diseaserelated incidents, a local hair salon company has been left frustrated after their insurance claim was rejected.
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The four Giamattei brothers; Bruno, Simon, Aaron and Marcus with their father Bruno Giamattei Snr (centre) smile as they pick up their trophies at the British Hair Awards. Picture: courtesy of Julie Giamattei
The claim team at Hiscox had told her the Business Interruption Cover would not cover a claim relating to the coronavirus. They said cover can be triggered under two sections of her policy: Non-damage Denial of Access and Public Authority. “These sections only cover Business Interruption losses where those losses result solely and directly from an interruption to your business caused by a denial of access or an inability to use the insured premises due to restrictions by the Government or a public authority. “Unfortunately, the loss for which you have claimed is not covered by your Hiscox policy.” But Mrs Giamattei believes that the salons are now covered, having closed due to the Government restrictions. “We didn’t voluntarily close,” she said. “The Government officially closed us on Monday, March 23, to stop the spread of the coronavirus. “We’re covered for an occurrence of notifiable human disease — it’s there in
black and white.” A spokesperson from Hiscox said: “We understand these are incredibly difficult times for businesses and we are paying claims that are covered by the policies we issue fairly and quickly. “We review every case individually, and if any customer has concerns about the application of their policy, we encourage them to get in touch with us directly.” Having been in touch with Hiscox, Mrs Giamattei is now appealing for help from Theresa May, MP for Maidenhead — who has visited the Woodley salon for her haircut before. “She lives at the end of our road and a friend recommended us to her, so she has a connection to the salon.” She hopes that the former Prime Minister may be able to help her business receive the payout she believes they are owed. She said she is determined to fight for the insurance payout, otherwise they may have to take out an expensive loan.
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Marc Antoni, which has five salons across Woodley, Henley, Caversham, Bracknell and Fleet were told on Friday that their claim to Hiscox had been refused. Julie Giamattei, director of the 50year-old family-run business was told that the five salons would not receive the £500,000 insurance payout, despite being covered for 'an occurrence of notifiable human disease'. Mrs Giamattei had been preempting the financial costs of the coronavirus in early March, and was in regular contact with her insurance broker, Ben Caspi from Direct Business Insurance about the possibility of making a claim. Now, the director of insurance, Maurice Geller will be taking up Marc Antoni’s case in a bid to help the company survive the pandemic. “Their response is complete nonsense and Maurice is going to involve the Financial Conduct Authority,” explained Mr Caspi. “Their wording clearly covers the situation.” Mrs Giamattei said: “Ben phoned me and told me his boss — who has been in insurance for 45 years — says we’ve definitely got a claim, and that their response to us is complete rubbish.”‘
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