Home care at risk of collapse in Jersey due to testing delays

Credit: PA

Jersey’s home care provision is at risk of collapse because it’s taking so long for staff who’ve been asked to isolate to get tested, according to the sector’s representative body.

The Jersey Care Federation says that withdrawal of care packages could lead to more of their service users needing hospitalisation.

ITV News has seen an email chain begging government figures for a dedicated phone line at the contact tracing centre so carers can be fast-tracked for testing in order for them to be able to continue their work. Government officials are accused of having “a silo mentality”.

Home carers have told ITV News they have real concerns and need more support to continue safely looking after those who need help.

In a strongly worded email sent to a number of senior officials including the hospital managing director and the Health Minister, the federation asks for five specific actions:

  • A dedicated line to both Track & Trace and the helpline for health care professionals

  • Direct contact details of the lead of both Track & Trace and the Help Line for care managers

  • Priority swabbing of healthcare professionals and their families to reduce self isolation

  • Training of swabbing so peer to peer swabbing can take place in the community (hospice for some reason has been prioritised, why can’t we?)

  • A list of who is heading up departments as we are fumbling in the dark. People are being redeployed into different roles, and we do not know who is who, or who to contact when.

ITV News has asked the government for comment.