Robroyston care home in urgent plea for PPE

A care home at Robroyston is making an urgent plea for personal protective equipment.

St Joseph’s Care home is currently running dangerously low on face masks for its members of staff as they give their best efforts in caring for the elderly residents.

Sister Marie Claire, care home manager, told the Glasgow Evening Times: “We’re appealing for masks for our staff. We still have access to gloves and aprons at the moment.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Obviously we want to provide the best possible care for our 55 residents and we need PPE in order to do that safely.

“We are struggling desperately to get enough face masks. This isn’t just to stop the infection from spreading, but it’s also to protect our staff who are wonderful on coming in and giving quality care to the residents here at St Joseph’s.”

The care home, that also accommodates 24 independent living apartments, has had its face mask supply chain hit due to the current global demand.

Sister Claire added: ““Our normal suppliers are really struggling to get themselves due to everything going to the NHS which is completely understandable.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“But at the same time, it means that we don’t have what we need. I’m very concerned for my staff.”

As it stands, there are currently nine residents within the facility who are isolating due to coronavirus fears.

Sister Claire has expressed concern over staffing levels, saying that up to 17 members of staff have been off at one time due to the pandemic.

She added: “We already have a shortage of staff and because people are having to self-isolate either because somebody within the household has symptoms, or they might be shielding for various reasons. So we are really short anyway.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We want to avoid being in a situation where we actually can’t cope at all. So this is why we are appealing for PPE.”

The care home has accepted offers from people who have offered to make masks via 3D printers. Sister Claire has said she is welcome to any innovative ideas.

She said: “I think everyone is aware that the elderly are very vulnerable. They need as much support as the people in the hospitals need. We need to be able to give them that care in the safest manner possible.

“They are very isolated, very frail and very anxious themselves. It’s really important that we can be there for them and it’s so important that our staff have what they need in order to do that.

“So if there is anybody out there that can help us, we would be so grateful.”

Related topics: