PAGE 2 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 89
EDITOR'S VIEWPOINT Welcome to the latest edition of The Carer Digital! “There are only four kinds of people in the world. Those who have been caregivers. Those who are currently caregivers. Those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.” ROSALYN CARTER “Living with Covid” - that was the Prime Minister’s message when he announced yesterday that from February 24 (tomorrow) all restrictions in England, along with “free” mass testing, will end on April 1. I suspect the wider country will greet the news that restrictions are to end will come as a welcome relief. However, the most impacted sector with respect to Covid is undoubtedly the care sector not only residents’ but also staffs’ well-being - and there are calls for caution. During the course of the pandemic we here at THE CARER documented the severity Covid was having within the sector, and we also we documented on how the sector was rising to the challenge, with care staff going far above and beyond the normal call of duty to ensure resident safety. Following that came the government’s mandatory vaccine policy, and whatever one’s opinion on the policy, whether it is right or wrong, the way care staff were treated was, in my opinion, very shabby indeed. I understand almost 4000 staff left the sector in the first week alone when the mandatory vaccination policy was first introduced, adding to an already staffing crisis. So the news that the government is to rescind all restrictions in England is to be welcomed, but not without caution. We have been warned of the possibility, or likelihood of a new variant, and the sector could very well find itself once again in the eye of the storm. So, I would echo the words of Independent Care Group’s CEO Mike Padgham when he said we should see a cautious but sensible return to normality. I’ve always said that one of my great pleasures in this job reporting the many heartwarming and uplifting stories we receive, and we do receive a lot! Mainstream media has always been quick to highlight sector “bashing story”, the negative stories no matter how rare they are always seem to get from page. This week we received a wonderfully heartwarming story. (See page 6). Rachel Murray, 21, who has Down’s Syndrome, and has entered the care sector with her
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Sylvia Mawson David Bartlett Guy Stephenson TYPESETTING & DESIGN first paid role as a Food Service Assistant at Cramond Residence, in Scotland. I think this is a fine example of how open, attractive, rewarding and welcoming the sector is. In my younger years I came from a working-class background in a heavily industrialised part of the north-west, but entered into hospitality, and found that sector the same. People from any background can enter and progress. Added to that we were delighted to report the story that Community Integrated Care in the north-east, has assisted 10 people with support needs to take part in a once in a lifetime volunteering opportunity at the inaugural Arnold Clark Cup international women’s football competition. (See page 8). Another fantastic example of breaking down barriers! So, once again it’s been of a bumper week this week for awards, anniversaries, birthdays and special events so thank you once again for sending them in. It is a pleasure to reproduce them, and please do keep them coming to editor@thecareruk.com
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