Caring in the Cold Weather

Company news

Jan 11, 2010

Care UK’s Ashton-Under-Lyne community care branch is usually open five days a week with carers shifts at weekends programmed in advance so they don’t need the office to be open.but staff are expecting an increased number of emergency calls due to the treacherous weather conditions and want to feel they are in the best position to respond to these and the needs of the staff throughout weekends.

Lee Elliot, Care UK’s Tameside branch manager said: “Our office staff and carers will be on call at weekends whilst we are experiencing bad weather to provide additional help to people in their homes who aren’t able to go out and get their own food or those who need medication.”

Care UK has also contacted the local authority in Lancashire to let other care companies know that any carer who wants to come in for a hot drink and to warm up before they continue on their visits is welcome in the branch over weekends.

Lee Elliot said: “We are also offering to carry out home care visits near our branch for other care companies where in special circumstances they haven’t been able to reach a particular area or person.

Severe weather conditions have made it very difficult to provide services without disruption in Tameside, however, Care UK’s carers have been out in force ensuring that their clients receive the vital care they need. Lee added, “Some of our carers have had to walk for miles in the icy conditions just to ensure that they can carry out their visits, and some have been working longer hours to ensure that everyone who has called us has received their care. I am really proud of the wonderful staff here who are committed to fulfilling the lives of the people who use our services, no matter what the challenges.”

As well as providing the routine tasks on their visits, care workers have been taking cans of soup with them while doing their visits just in case clients’ hot meals haven’t been delivered and their shopping has not been done. At least this way we know that the people we care for can have a hot meal.”

Mrs Wilson, a client from Ashton Under Lyne who receives home care has recognised the extra effort that Care UK staff have given, she said: “The carers have gone above and beyond the call of duty and I can't believe that I have still had my visits."

Notes to editors:

Care UK is a leading independent provider of health and social care.  Working in close partnership with local authorities, PCTs and SHAs, the company draws on 25 years of experience and expertise to deliver highly specialised, value for money, tailor-made service solutions including primary and secondary care, as well as residential and community care.
 
Care UK is by far the largest operator of Independent Sector Treatment Centres on behalf of the NHS. Care UK also runs a number of NHS Walk-in Centres, as well as NHS GP surgeries, out of hours services, urgent care and prison health facilities.
 
Care UK operates over 50 nursing and residential homes for older people and provides care for those with learning disabilities or mental health needs including supported living solutions.
 
The company provides over 120,000 hours of care and support each week to people in their own homes and operates a range of specialist children’s services including residential care and fostering.