Responding to figures published today (Tuesday) by the Office for National Statistics showing UK care home deaths linked to coronavirus have now exceeded 10,000, UNISON assistant general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“This is a shocking price paid by elderly and vulnerable people whose families believed they were being kept safe.
“These deaths show the government’s failure to support those in society who are most in need of care.
“Staff looking after these residents have effectively been abandoned too. They’ve struggled with protective equipment shortages, testing delays and inadequate guidance on how to keep themselves safe.
“The Covid-19 crisis has exposed a social care system that’s unfit for purpose. A complete overhaul is needed once the pandemic passes to ensure no one is left unprotected again.”
Notes to editors:
-The union has launched a petition demanding the government step up and deliver on its promises around PPE and do much more to protect care staff and elderly people.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Sophie Goodchild M: 07767 325595 E: s.goodchild@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk
