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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I’m a frontline care worker AMA

71 replies

Ilove · 19/04/2020 00:10

Cannot find the AMA topic

I’m a front line care worker in the community

No, we do not have the PPE we need

Yes, we are funding it ourselves

Yes, i am working more than full time at the moment

Yes, I have kids

Yes, I am struggling to reconcile work with home life

Yes, If i don’t work bills won’t be paid

Yes, AMA

OP posts:
Original poster
Ilove · 19/04/2020 00:12

Oh, and NO, I don’t want a fucking badge!!!!

Come and work a week with me....@MattHancock

If you’ve got the balls...

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 19/04/2020 00:13

What do you think of the government’s approach so far? How long do you think/want the so called lockdown to go on? Are things getting better or worse at the moment?

How are you doing?

Thisisitisit · 19/04/2020 00:13

I was going to ask a serious question until I saw your second post, and thought nah, what's the point.

Namechange8471 · 19/04/2020 00:15

Do you wish you didn’t work in your current role? Will you be looking for a career change sometime in the future?

AnneLovesGilbert · 19/04/2020 00:18

I think Matt Hancock is busy doing his own job...

Original poster
Ilove · 19/04/2020 00:21

I think this will go on for months

@thisisitisit yes I understand that, but he REALLY pissed me off yesterday. If he had the balls to work a week in my life, believe me he would change his stance

The government response has been appalling . We have just paid £340 for scrubs for out staff, and that’s doesnt even cover 2 sets per member

OP posts:
Original poster
Ilove · 19/04/2020 00:22

No, I won’t be looking for a career change. However, I will be looking for respect and. A decent pay grade

OP posts:
LittleMissBumFun · 19/04/2020 00:23

Oh I thought this was going to be really engaging until your second post.

Original poster
Ilove · 19/04/2020 00:27

Engaging??? In what way>?

OP posts:
Tonemeth · 19/04/2020 00:27

I dont understand what's so off putting about the second post unless you cant see why matt Hancock's badges are ill timed...

What do you consider an appropriate pay grade OP?

Thisisitisit · 19/04/2020 00:27

Do you work for the NHS? Or a private care provider? Not that I am saying the government should not assist if the latter, but if it is a private provider do you feel they have let you down?

Original poster
Ilove · 19/04/2020 00:36

I work for a private care provider

They are absolutely trying to source any PPE they can

We have sourced some private providers, and they are paying for what We need

However, it simply isnt there. We are providing care to the sickest folk in the community, who simply do not want to pass away in hospital

The NHS has let these people down - I am NOT SAYING THE NHS IS TO BLAME - THESE PEOPLE MADE THEIR OWN CHOICE

HOWEVER, they are in their own homes and we are responsible for them

So, tell me....what would you do???

OP posts:
Thisisitisit · 19/04/2020 00:42

However, it simply isnt there.

This is sadly the issue. The government has almost a blank cheque for PPE, but there is not enough available globally, and every country in the world wants it. I am not saying it is right or that they shouldn't have prepared better, of course they should have, but there isn't any to buy. Not in any sizable quantity anyway. I was just interested in whether the care providers are seen as responsible for providing it or not, it seems they are doing all they can for you. It is a horrible situation and people such as yourself deserve proper protection for carrying out such important work which makes a difference to peoples lives.

What would you like to see change after this? I was a carer whilst at university, and bloody hell the hardest working team I have ever worked with, they were all incredible. I would love to see being a carer being more highly regarded as a profession, with better working conditions and pay, to reflect both the physical and mental work involved.

Original poster
Ilove · 19/04/2020 00:43

Oh, and appropriate pay grade????

Anything significantly over minimum wage!!

OP posts:
Tonemeth · 19/04/2020 00:46

Is it social care or palliative?

Do you think a wage rise will happen?

WorraLiberty · 19/04/2020 00:50

The AMA topic is here You just needed to put it into search.

Gingerkittykat · 19/04/2020 00:51

Is there anything the rest of us can do to support you right now? Obviously we can't get PPE but there might be other things that can help.

I have two friends working in care, one doing home calls and the other in a residential home for disabled adults. Neither of them are being properly looked after right now.

CSIblonde · 19/04/2020 00:55

Why can't the millions raised by Captain Tom be used for PPE. The charity its gone to heads up a few NHS charities, but its CEO said it can't be spent on PPE as that's to "come out of main budget" . If charity money can pay for machines why not PPE? Mad! It's like saying we'll pay for 'extras' not basics,when it's basics that are needed.

Moominmammaatsea · 19/04/2020 00:59

@AnneLovesGilbert “I think Matt Hancock is busy doing his own job...”

He may be busy but is he effective? Because, in the eyes of the world, his performance is utterly piss-poor. Maybe he and the OP should job swap for a wee while?

Dubdubdubtub · 19/04/2020 01:00

I work as a healthcare assistant. We have just all paid for our own scrubs that can be washed and dried more quickly then our uniform. We have made our own masks and we are close to running out of gloves that we desperately need to do our job safely.

WorraLiberty · 19/04/2020 01:02

What is your actual job OP?

Moominmammaatsea · 19/04/2020 01:03

@LittleMissBumFun “Oh I thought this was going to be really engaging until your second post.”

How ‘engaging’ do you need the OP to be, exactly? Relating the death throes of her patients, for example?

Original poster
ILOVE · 19/04/2020 01:05

The whole situation is utterly horrendous

I’m off Sunday/monday. At the moment

That will probably change

It is disgraceful

And yes. ANY cabinet minister, with the balls to do it...come out with me for 48h.....with MY PPE allocation.....do it...

OP posts:
Bella2020 · 19/04/2020 01:07

I really feel for care workers; always have. It's very much an underrated and underpaid sector, yet is vitally important.

I imagine anxiety levels must be through the roof at the moment. I hope you & your colleagues can find some way to de-stress and relax.

I think the Hancock badge was very badly timed, but I hope it raises the profile of people working in this sector. Sending you & your colleagues my very best wishes.

alexdgr8 · 19/04/2020 01:13

what do you mean when you say, These people made their own choice.? i thought many elderly/ disabled people were not being taken to or kept in hospital at this time, so they have less choice than usual, as all the emphasis is on the ones needing covid care and likely to recover.