PPE in private care homes – why should taxpayers be footing the bill?

THE Government is undergoing an avalanche of complaints about the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) for care home staff, but where does the responsibility lie for such provision?

Care homes fall into two categories, the public sector run by councils, partly funded by ratepayers, or the NHS funded by the Government, ultimately the taxpayers.

The other group is in the private sector where charges for these services cost between £900 and £1,500 per per patient per week.

In the private sector, I assume the staff uniforms are provided by the private employer, who include that cost within their fees. The bulk of care homes operate in the private sector, so PPE is their responsibility.

The Government’s only responsibility occurs in public sector care homes. Why should the taxpayer meet the costs of PPE in profitable private care homes?

From: Paul Brown, Bents Green Road, Sheffield.

THE lockdown which we are all experiencing is having some positive benefits. Parents who normally see their families for a few minutes each day before dashing to work are now able to spend time with their children.

Cities which are normally congested are now quiet. Once the current crisis has passed, we may wish to adopt more permanently some of the lifestyle changes which have been temporarily imposed on us.

From: Peter Rickaby, Selby.

SUFFICIENT overseas agricultural workers are not going to be available this summer to pick fruit and vegetables (The Yorkshire Post, April 18).

What an opportunity for sixth-formers and university students to earn money out in the fresh air. Drawbacks could be:

1. Having to rise before 8am, working till 5pm;

2. Denied access to Twitter and Facebook;

3. The realisation it might actually involve some hard graft.

A sad reflection on our current generation.

From: Terry Palmer, Barnsley.

I THINK a compliment is in order regarding BMBC bin collections in Hoyland. Our binmen are doing a fantastic job and should be recognised. A clap for them, along with the NHS on a Thursday, would not go amiss.

I, for one, would like the lads to know that they are certainly appreciated just as much as other public sector workers. Thank you and stay safe.

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