Key worker at East Dunbartonshire school “in tears” over lack of Personal Protection Equipment

Having read coverage of problems previously raised by home carers, one person contacted the Herald to say: “That is not even the tip of the iceberg.

“My partner works within a school in the authority and the situation is not any better.

“Very few schools have the proper PPE or even hand sanitiser on the premises and this is with children attending.

“My partner leaves in the morning in tears and returns the same way fearful for 
her family, the kids and for her job.

“This past week she has been given little or no information on how to cope with this frightening situation.

“Just over a week ago the new Auchinairn community centre had an incident regarding coronavirus.

“Employees were, I’m told , sent to work in different premises and the whole place was sprayed from top to bottom yet not a peep was heard of this .

“Also apparently there is far in excess of the employees  attending the schools than there should be. 

“I have no doubt those in the council hierarchy have the best intentions but they really have no concern whatsoever for their staff.

“I have told my partner to quit her job but she is too worried and dedicated to her friends.”

Another person claimed the lives of home carers were “endangered” by a lack of PPE and that carers were returning to work after inadequate time spent in isolation.

This person added: “The carers are being forced 
to work with untrained carers from other areas and management are piling on work to them.

“They are almost close to dropping with the workload.”

However, EDC depute chief executive Ann Davie has denied several of the claims.

She said: “I can confirm that there have been no incidents in any of our school hubs or nurseries in the past two weeks, since they reopened to provide child care for key workers and vulnerable children and young people.

“We continue to implement the latest NHS guidance in relation to educational and childcare settings and we are sharing this with all our employees on a regular basis.

“Personal Protective Equipment is available in our school hubs and nurseries and will continue to be provided to all frontline employees, as their role requires and in line with public health guidance.

“All employees are encouraged to speak directly with their manager to share any concerns they may have.”