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Newry and Armagh MLA, Justin McNulty has paid tribute to health care workers in care homes, hospitals and the community as they care for the most vulnerable in our community.
Mr McNulty said, "Frail and elderly people in our community are the most vulnerable and we must make sure every effort is made to protect them from the ravages of Covid-19 and in doing so we must pay tribute to those who care for them.
"Whilst we have had some success in our battle against Covid-19, however it’s important to recognize that every lost life has left a devastated family behind.
"We must be grateful that our hospitals have been able to cope with the demand, including Intensive Care Units. This is down to the hard work and diligence of our healthcare professionals in hospitals and indeed to society at large for obeying the strict and sometimes cumbersome restrictions.
"However it is apparent that the new front line in the battle against this virus is not necessarily in hospitals but in Care Homes and in the Community. Evidence across the globe and across this island has shown that the most vulnerable in our communities, including those in care homes are those who now are most at risk."
Mr McNulty welcomed an announcement by Health Minister Robin Swan of additional financial support for the sector
"We need to see staff in care homes protected, just as we do for those in hospital settings. The appropriate level of PPE must be provided and I welcome the efforts by the Southern Trust to assist with this. However, we can also learn from the South were the HSE are providing staff, including nurses, in care homes if needed." the Newry and Armagh representative added.
Speaking about the extraordinary effort workers are making the MLA said "Care in community and in nursing homes is the new front line in this battle against Covid-19. The carers, nurses and care teams are making extraordinary efforts to protect and care for their patients. They take huge pride in caring for their patients as if they were their own family. With some carers out ill or shielding because of their own family circumstances it has placed many care homes and carer organisations under huge duress. Huge credit is due to the people working in the care sector for their determination and sense of duty in working multiple long shifts to protect and care for their patients. This must be acknowledged by the authorities and the Care Sector needs to be fully resourced in terms of staffing and PPE to enable them to overcome the challenges they will face in the days and weeks ahead.
"Carers need to be recognized and properly rewarded for the lifesaving and crucially important caring role they play in our society, and not just in these times of crisis."
