County council offers new funding support for care providers in Lincolnshire

With a leaked letter from leading social care chiefs describing the Government’s early efforts to protect the care sector’s workers and patients as ‘shambolic’, Lincolnshire County Council has responded to these growing pressures by setting up a fund to support care providers coping with the Covid-19 outbreak.

Coun Patricia Bradwell. EMN-200416-103501001

With growing numbers of cases of suspected or confirmed cases of the virus, the council has stepped in to help support care homes, home care providers, nursing homes and those providing supported living.

It was confirmed this week that 17 care homes across Lincolnshire had been put under protective isolation after suspected or confirmed cases of coronavirus were found.

“Our care homes and other providers are giving fantastic support, day after day, to so many of our most vulnerable residents, in very difficult circumstances. It’s only right that we should recognise and help their efforts if we can,” explained Coun Patricia Bradwell, executive councillor for health and adult care.

“This fund will help reward staff going above and beyond their duties in working extra hours, assist with essential clothing and equipment supplies and support training and travel costs.”

Under the scheme, care providers can apply for funding to cover additional costs they incur to include:

○ workforce including staff overtime and travel to work

○ any necessary agency or temporary staffing costs

○ recruitment and training

○ additional personal protective equipment (PPE)

Any other reasonable costs will be considered.

The council has written to care providers with details of how to apply for funding support if they are struggling with these extra costs.