CARE HOMES CLOSING

June 2020

Barnsley’s most vulnerable residents were unable to see their loved ones from the very start of the pandemic.

Although hard at the time, it was undoubtedly the safest option and a decision which saved countless lives. The heartache it caused at the time was impossible to put into words.

A number of residents, especially those with dementia, were left confused about what was going on. But Barnsley Council didn’t take long to show their support to the industry.

A multi-million pound recovery plan to support care homes hit by the effects of coronavirus across the borough was approved by council bosses in June 2020.

A total of £7m has been committed as direct support to care providers across the borough.

The majority of the funding has gone to supporting the care sector and ensuring financial resilience with £3.1m being pledged, while a further £2.3m has been pledged to help reduce the rate of transmission in and between care homes.

A report states that Barnsley care homes support over 1,800 residents across 66 homes, with many homes occupied by elderly residents who are classed as vulnerable to Covid-19.

As part of the plan, a one-off payment was swiftly made to all social care providers to assist with additional costs during the Covid-19 outbreak, including costs associated with the purchasing of additional PPE and staff absence.

The council also agreed to work with care homes to monitor their long-term financial sustainability.

As part of the Barnsley Cares project Barnsley Museums created hundreds of quality activity and care packs, with magazines, DVDs, new articles, puzzles and treats for isolated older people.

One pack based on life Upstairs and Downstairs at Cannon Hall included baking kits and wildflowers, so that recipients could still experience a little of the magic of our heritage sites from their homes.

The packs were sent out to every care home in the borough, Age UK and Butterflies Dementia Support networks, as well as a doorstep delivery and check in to hundreds of people. The museum service also took to the telephone to ring older group members and museum donors to check in on them in the time the museum had to close its doors.