PerCurra Calls for Former Nurses to Help Fight Impact of Coronavirus
3 April 2020
PerCurra to create ‘Volunteer List’ of former nurses to help fill potential vacancies in the UK care sector as a result of current care staff having to self-isolate due to COVID-19.
PerCurra has launched a volunteer recruitment drive and is looking for experienced former nurses and health care staff interested in helping vulnerable people during the coronavirus public health emergency.
The company is anticipating that there could be a shortage of care staff over the coming weeks as increasing numbers of healthcare staff self-isolate and is, therefore, calling for willing volunteers to step forward and help care for elderly people and those with other medical conditions which leave them reliant on at-home care.
Importantly, this is not just to work with PerCurra. The aim is to create a national list of volunteers so that people can be put in contact with their relevant local authority to help fill care vacancies in their local communities.
However, PerCurra will provide a full Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check on all volunteers and, where necessary, provide training support to ensure that those people receiving support in their home continue to enjoy high standards of care.
Gill Heppell, founder of PerCurra said: “At a time of national crisis it’s up to all care providers to play their part. We are in unchartered waters with regard to the impact the coronavirus will have on those needing care and their care providers. We may find that existing clients need additional support which will mean homecare visits may take longer and, at the same time, we may have fewer staff members to call on to provide care at home as more people self-isolate.
“In anticipation of a potential shortfall of care staff, I am setting up a national database of volunteer care workers across the UK, people who would be able to step forward as care providers should the need arise. Using the database, PerCurra would help local authorities to fill their care requirements so that we can ensure vulnerable people still get the care they need.
“As an established care at-home provider, we would be able to provide training courses for former health care workers, along with hygiene products and guidance to keep them safe and, for the reassurance of clients, ensure that all DBS checks are in place. We would want to protect clients and staff from infection and provide guidelines for safe working.”
PerCurra is inviting people to register their interest now so that preparations are made in advance of the crisis worsening. People who would like to volunteer should email assist@PerCurrra.com
with their contact details.
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• How to get support • Types of Care • How to search • What you should expect from a home care agency • Questions to ask a home care provider How To Get Support Often people only think about getting in professional carers when someone needs a high level of support. They also worry about the expense. This leads to vulnerable people, unhappily struggling to cope with daily life until they reach a crisis point either through ill health or an accident in the home. If you, or a loved one needs some support you can get the ball rolling. The NHS offer advice on their website. View it here: Assessing Your Care & Support Needs Age Concern UK have a really helpful Factsheet - just click on this link Factsheet 41 What Types of ‘care’ are there? Care Support Services range from a care professional (carer) popping round to chat and keep you company for an hour or take you out shopping (companionship services) right through to round the clock support (eg Personal Care Services and Live-in Support). It's amazing how much difference even a small amount of support can make to someone's quality of life. Perhaps this could be covered by an Attendance Allowance - a non means tested allowance that could pay for some essential care or support. Once this has been awarded it may pave the way for further services. Here are some useful links: • Attendance Allowance • Types of Care • Funding Care How to Search for Home Care Providers If your relative or friend does need home care services how do you find the right provider. If you don’t already have recommendations then please feel free to give your local PerCurra branch a call. If you want to get more idea of what is available in your area these national directories of suppliers are a good place to start. https://www.homecare.co.uk/ https://www.autumna.co.uk/ https://www.bark.com/en/gb/ It’s useful to know that unless the support given is ‘personal care’ the care company does not need to be registered with the Care Quality Commission. So if you are looking for companionship services and you have been recommended to a company that isn’t CQC registered, it isn’t a problem. If you are worried about elderly loved ones then the Age Concern website is a great source of advice https://www.ageuk.org.uk/ What You Should Expect From a Home Care Agency Inviting an outside agency into your home is a huge decision but, when you find a great care provider, your quality of life is greatly improved. You will feel safer and happier and actually more independent. So what should you expect from a home care agency? You should feel confident that their staff are well trained to deliver an excellent standard of care and that they can visit you at times that fit in with your lifestyle. A manager should arrange to meet you in your home and discuss your needs and your wishes. They should ask you a lot of questions to really understand what you require and expect from your care package and you should feel they are carefully listening to what you say. Establishing trust with the company and a good relationship with your carers is important to your well-being. You should feel that they are helping you to live your life, your way. Click on this link to read advice from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). CQC Advice on home care agencies Questions to ask a home care provider So you have sought out recommendations for home care providers in your area or you have found some companies via a search on the internet. What next? Phone them up – does the phone get answered in a friendly, professional way? This is your first indication of what their quality of service may be like. If you are happy so far, and they say then can deliver the type of service you need, then you may want to arrange for someone to visit you at home. To get the most out of this meeting it is best to be prepared with a list of questions as well as a pen and notepad. The respected consumer magazine/website ‘Which’ has compiled a list of questions for people looking for reliable home care. Click this link to see them https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/later-life-care/article/home-care-guides/how-to-choose-a-home-care-agency-aybXd9x8pg84 Not all of the questions may be relevant to your situations but pick out the ones that are and jot down any of your own. Take your time and don’t feel pressured to sign up to a company there and then if you are not happy. This is a big decision.
PerCurra was founded in the UK in 2008 and is a respected name in the home care industry.
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