Concern for Cordia care workers "not given" enough protective equipment

That's what Clyde News is being told by a worried relative of a staff member who visits vulnerable people at home.

Published 31st Mar 2020
Last updated 31st Mar 2020

Cordia home care workers are being put at risk by not being given personal protective equipment (PPE) before mixing with clients.

That's what Clyde News is being told by a worried relative of a staff member who visits vulnerable people at home.

The woman, who wants to remain anonymous, says they have no choice but to visit clients if they say they're feeling well.

But she harbours concerns about the ability of the clients to properly ascertain how they feel in the midst of the Coronvirus pandemic.

She told Clyde News: "A member of my family has been trying to get information from their bosses at Cordia about where they need to go to get their PPE.

"They're actually being advised to then drive to other members of staff who apparently have some equipment in the boots of their cars.

"They were given three aprons, there weren't any gloves available.

"This person also had 500ml bottle of hand sanisitser and is being asked to give out 50ml at a time to people that go to her, out the boot of her car.

"A lot of the clients that my family member works with actually have dementia and alzheimers, so when they're asking these people how they feel, some of these people don't have the ability to answer the question properly.

"They don't really know how they feel.

"She wants to go out and provide care, she's always worked in care.

"It makes her really angry that she's been asked to go out on the front line and provide this personal care without any protective equipment.

"She doesn't feel valued by them in any way.

"The people that are telling her to go out without this equipment are sitting at home.

"They're not on the front line, they're working from home telling her to go out and see clients without the equipment she needs."

A spokesperson for the group/GCC says there's currently sufficient supply of PPE and no member of staff should be working without protection.