A care provider who looks after the elderly on the peninsula has hit out at a personal protective equipment supplier that has more than doubled its prices.

Jinielei Welham, who runs We Simply Care is furious at being forced to pay the much higher prices for essential items from Poole based Just Gloves, but has been left with no choice.

"I am disgusted that our supplier of essential PPE which we have used since 2018 has increased their prices from £2.60 for a box of 100 gloves to £6.90," said Mrs Welham

"I have reported the supplier to trading standards however, we have no option but to continue to purchase as gloves and aprons are essential in protecting team members and customers.†

In contrast, Mrs Welham's whose care provider was rated as Good on all counts by the CQC last year, has been hugely impressed with the support offered by Suffolk County Council, and in particular their liaison officer.

care providers have been told even though they are responsible for sourcing their own PPE, the council will step in if they run short.

"I have found our contracts manager at SCC to be totally transparent and she is amazing," said Mrs Welham. "If we need any advice she is there, we have been asked if we need any PPE, which currently we are able to source ourselves, but knowing there is a supply if we need it, is a relief.†

Although based in Capel, We Simply Care has 12 carers supporting 22 people across the peninsula and surrounding area, and so far neither staff or customers have been infected by Covid-19, due to its high standards of protection, while maintaining high personal service.

Mrs Welham said: "Our team members have all made me so proud, they are all working very hard and reassuring all of our customers.

"Those who are probably the most vulnerable and whom live alone are frightened that they may not see their families again, they are worried about how they will pay their bills as they cannot get to the post office.

"Our team is spending more time with customers and undertaking new tasks such as shopping to ensure they have essential items."

 

Meanwhile, the county council also recognised that the supply of PPE is an ongoing, national issue for care providers.

A spokesman said:"Whilst the care providers are responsible for sourcing PPE for their service, the high demand globally has made this increasingly difficult adding to the pressure and anxiety of front line workers. The council has lobbied tirelessly to ensure that care providers are given the same prioritisation as health workers in terms of receiving PPE and will continue to do so.

 

"In order to support our local care providers Suffolk County Council are providing a centralised cell for PPE in Suffolk with a dedicated email address. A large order has recently been received and a system is in place to understand daily consumption rates of PPE for all non NHS areas."

 

The council has been collating information for Adults and Children's services districts and borough councils, Suffolk Constabulary, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service and this is then fed into the stock and procurement system. 

 

The council's procurement team has established some good supply chains both nationally and internationally. Endeavour House, Ipswich, is the central base for all PPE delivery, storage, pack prep and distribution. This has been in place for two weeks and packs are being send out to front line services in Suffolk on a daily basis. 

 

This week alone 65 care homes have been provided with the emergency PPE they have asked for and the council has responded to every care provider that has approached the council for support.

 

Councillor Rebecca Hopfensperger, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, said: "I am incredibly grateful for the dedication of our care providers and I am totally committed to supporting them as we all face this unprecedented crisis.

 

"Our carers are our hidden heroes who are continuing to take care of our most vulnerable even when the risks are high for themselves. Myself and my colleagues at the council are working hard to ensure we do right by these incredible people. We have successfully lobbied for more supplies of much needed PPE and will continue to do so as the pandemic continues.

 

"I want to assure people that we are standing with them in this and we are doing everything that we can to ensure we look after those who need us now more than ever."

Check our business directory for care providers on the peninsula.