Wigan carer makes urgent plea for protective equipment

A Wigan carer has made an urgent appeal for people to donate protective equipment to care workers out working on the frontline.
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Jackie Harber, from Newtown, and her team at Premier Care provide an essential and important service to the elderly and most vulnerable within the community.

But due to the coronavirus pandemic, they like many other carers and NHS workers are quickly running out of Personal protective equipment (PPE).

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They desperately need gloves, aprons and face masks , and without this they will struggle to provide a safe and effective service to the most vulnerable .

Jackie HarberJackie Harber
Jackie Harber

Jackie, 54, who has worked at Premier Care for 26 years and works at the Halton branch, said: “We’re currently delivering thousands of visits of domiciliary care to the most vulnerable in the community.

“I feel that domiciliary carers and care workers that keep people in their homes, keep people safe, and ensure there are less bed blockers in hospital, are the forgotten unsung heroes.

“But the nationwide shortage of PPE is worrying, as having this equipment is vital so we can keep ourselves and the people we care for safe.

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“Lives will be at risk without this and more of it is needed.”

And Jackie’s team consists of 12 office staff and 140 care assistants who make regular visits in the community to the elderly and most vulnerable.

But they need equipment to stay safe and it prompted her daughter Emma Harber to set up a Facebook appeal for PPE items which has seen hundreds of donations made already.

Jackie said: “We visit people that wouldn’t be get up in the morning, and help them to eat, drink and do their shopping.

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“We also ensure they have a social interaction and are reassuring them at the moment as they are understandably frightened about the coronavirus.

“Along with NHS workers, we have such a vital role to play in keeping people well, and need the equipment so we can do our job properly and stay well.

“We’ve had hundreds of donations of gloves and aprons and sanitisers already since the Facebook appeal has been made, and there has been a lot of comments and shares and a big reaction.”

She added: “We just want to thank everyone who has donated and it shows that people in Wigan pull together.

“I’m overwhelmed.”

People can find out more about donating equipment by messaging Emma Harber on Facebook.

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