Tens of thousands of PPE sent to Hartlepool care homes under efforts to support key workers and the vulnerable people in their care

The resources distributed by Hartlepool Borough Council include protective masks, gloves, aprons and reusable protective glasses.

So far, the council has delivered almost 30,000 surgical masks to care homes, home care providers and people supported in the community by personal assistants.

More than 1,200 pairs of reusable protective glasses have been distributed, some of which were donated by local schools.

Alice House Hospice in Hartlepool has also received 1,000 aprons and 1,000 pairs of disposable gloves from Hartlepool Borough Council, and 1,000 face masks from EDF Energy, operator of Hartlepool Power Station.

Council chiefs said they have been able to secure stocks not just through the Government’s national supply chain but also from additional sources secured independently.

Councillor Shane Moore, leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, praised council staff who have worked ‘tirelessly’ to provide the equipment.

He said: “PPE has been one of the main issues of the coronavirus crisis and council staff have worked tirelessly to source supplies to support care homes, home care providers and personal assistants across the borough.

“We haven’t been able to rely purely on Government PPE supplies so we have also sourced our own supplies and I’m very grateful to staff for the great initiative they have shown in this work.

“Care workers need this equipment and I would like to reassure all residents we are working tirelessly to ensure these key workers are able to work as safely as possible.”

Council chiefs said ensuring care homes and home care providers in Hartlepool receive the equipment is key in the battle against coronavirus.

This is because the providers support some of the most vulnerable people in the local community – although many care providers up and down the country are struggling to access supplies.

Greg Hildreth, deputy fundraising manager at Alice House Hospice, praised the council and local businesses for their support and hard work.

He said: “We are extremely grateful for all of the warmth and support we have received during this very challenging time.

“These items will help protect our staff and get us safely through the current crisis situation.”

Care home bosses also thanked the council for the contributions of PPE and support provided.

Wendy Dick, manager at Seaton Hall Care Home, said: “Hartlepool Borough Council’s Commissioning Team has been very supportive during this difficult time.

“We have received daily telephone calls asking us how we are and if we need support and valuable PPE has also been sourced and delivered to us.

“We feel we are not on our own dealing with this pandemic and we are very grateful for this.”

Gail Defty, care services manager for the Hospital of God, a charity which runs four centres for people living with dementia or memory issues and their carers in East Durham and Hartlepool, praised the efforts in the area.

She said: “Good things happen when councils and communities come together and I have got to say in these unprecedented times the amazing work that is being carried out by our communities – led by Hartlepool Borough Council – is something to be really proud of.

“These difficult times have tested us all, but we would like to thank Hartlepool Borough Council for their help and support.”

It comes after last week council chiefs commended The English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College for using their state-of-the-art technology to fashion 450 protective visors for local care homes and hospitals.

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