Care home boss near Grantham calls on Government to speed up testing for carers amid fears they could spread Covid-19
A care home boss has launched a petition calling on the Government to speed up its roll out of coronavirus testing.
Rup Nahil says care workers are living in fear that they could inadvertently spread the virus to their clients.
Testing for Covid-19 is currently only available in hospitals, but staff at The Willows Care Home in Rippingale hope this will soon be expanded.
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Rup, the care home director, said staff are concerned about what to do if they show symptoms of Covid-19.
She said: “Fortunately, we are in a good position here, but in care homes there is generally a shortage of staff so this is putting extra pressure on them.
“I know [Health Secretary] Matt Hancock said there are priorities for testing but care homes definitely need this.
"Care workers are dealing with some of the most vulnerable people in society. More than half our residents have dementia and don’t know what is going on, so we need to make the right decisions for them.”
Rup's petition is asking for care home workers to be tested when they show symptoms of a fever or persistent cough.
This would determine whether or not they have the virus and are safe to work.
Rup added: “It was scary to hear about a care home in Glasgow where 13 people died with coronavirus, but at least the staff here know we are trying to do something.
"Our care workers want to stay in work. We need to provide care to our most vulnerable elderly. We are proud to serve but we need some common sense here.
"We need testing for care staff so that those who need to stay away do so with a clear conscience, and those who can work can do so with a clear conscience."
The petition has attracted more than 4,400 signatures of its 5,000 target so far.
Click here to sign the petition.