CARE homes in Helensburgh say they have been heartened by support and messages of goodwill from throughout the community as fears grow nationally over the severe impact that coronavirus is having on the sector.

Home managers say there has been a terrific response from well-wishers leaving flowers, food and chocolate treats on doorsteps as awareness grows of the predicament facing care homes in the Covid-19 crisis.

They have also praised staff for being tireless in their care of residents and for adhering to strict infection control regimes which they say are keeping a lid on the spread of the virus in care homes locally.

Three out of four care homes contacted by the Advertiser said they had not had any coronavirus cases, while the fourth said they would prefer not to comment publicly in fairness to families.

READ MORE: Helensburgh care home residents share messages to loved ones

None indicated supply difficulties with personal protective equipment (PPE).

Michelle Carr, manager of Argyle Care Centre in West Argyle Street, which has 56 residents and 80 staff, said: “We have battened down the hatches to essentially cocoon the home but we are monitoring the situation very carefully.”

Michelle said the home currently had enough supplies of PPE and they were indebted to the local Sew Grateful group who had been making them surgical gowns which were of better quality than the ones normally available.

Annette Gillies, manager of Northwood House Care Home in Sinclair Street, is self-isolating at home due to an underlying health condition but is using a remote electronic care system to keep abreast of all developments.

She said: “People have been rallying round to offer support and it’s very heartening to see everyone working together as a community.”

Annette said in common with other care homes, Northwood was operating a very strict infection control regime, with staff temperatures being taken on arrival.

She said: “If there is any concern, they are immediately sent home to self-isolate.”

READ MORE: Multiple deaths at coronavirus-hit Castle View care home in Dumbarton

In Northwood’s case, uniforms are washed after every shift and PPE is disposed of immediately after each use.

At Morar Lodge Private Nursing Home in Glasgow Street, which has 45 staff and 25 residents, administrator Fiona Hunter said: “We have been very fortunate so far and it has been down to strict infection prevention regimes early doors.

“We have a very experienced care services manager who had previously experienced the SARS outbreak and knew what was ahead.”

Fiona Ness, manager at the Lochside Care Home near Rhu, told the Advertiser that staff had been working on a flexible basis as a team and things “were going swimmingly”.

An example of the goodwill shown towards the home, she said, was their Facebook appeal for Easter eggs, which had led to no fewer than 250 being left at their door.

The Advertiser has also been told of various other acts of goodwill towards care homes from local businesses.

Staff at the town’s Waitrose supermarket have been delivering parcels of food and chocolate to homes and to staff who are self isolating, while directors at Argyle Care Centre have been taking Scottish-themed goodies to home staff from the Nippy Sweety newsagent in Sinclair Street.

Staff at Greggs and Superdrug have been donating gift parcels, and Helensburgh United Reformed Church’s web-based church services have been enjoyed by residents seeking spiritual comfort.

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