Richmond and Kingston Covid-19 Update: April 20
As each day goes by with our NHS and care staff still lacking adequate PPE, the government's failure to provide it grows more deadly. Our frontline workers are taking risks every day to keep the rest of us safe and they deserve every support we can give them. I am joining my Liberal Democrat colleagues in calling for a five point Frontline Support Package to include:
The Frontline Support Package is
Protection – PPE kit for all key workers NOW
Practical help – food deliveries, accommodation & transport for NHS and care staff
Frontline service reward - additional pay to compensate for the risks they are taking
Bereavement and funeral support - a more generous death-in-service scheme
Coronavirus Service Medal - recognition for the risks they are facing
If you would like to assist in putting pressure on the government to offer this support, please sign up to back the campaign: https://www.libdems.org.uk/frontline?recruiter_id=131394
CARE QUALITY COMMISSION GATHERING DATA
The CQC has launched a data collection scheme on COVID-19 related pressures - such as shortages of PPE - from services who provide care for people in their own homes. This information will be combined with information already gathered from residential and nursing homes to give a much more complete picture of how coronavirus is affecting people who use adult social care services and those who care for them. This information will be shared across organisations (including DHSC and NHS England) who can help mobilise support.
ARTHRITIS
If you or a loved one have arthritis or any related musculoskeletal condition and are concerned about how COVID-19 may affect you, get in touch with @VersusArthritis at: https://bit.ly/Covid19VersusArthritisHelp
FREE CHILDREN'S BOOK ABOUT COVID-19, ILLUSTRATED BY AXEL SCHEFFLER
Anyone with young children will be delighted to hear that local resident and illustrator of many beloved children's books Axel Scheffler has contributed his artwork to a free book for children explaining coronavirus. You can download it here: https://nosycrowcoronavirus.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/Coronavirus_ABookForChildren.pdf