Peterborough care home’s preparations for COVID second wave

As cases of Covid-19 in Peterborough increase, care provider PJ Care puts measures in place to prepare itself for the ‘second wave’ and maintain protection for its residents and staff.
Members of staff at PJ CareMembers of staff at PJ Care
Members of staff at PJ Care

PJ Care provides specialist neurological care for people with conditions such as Young and Early Onset dementia, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and acquired brain injuries.

At the start of the pandemic, the care provider experienced a temporary loss of 30 per cent of its staff due to precautionary self-isolation, almost overnight, which it addressed with a recruitment drive.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We have learnt a lot during the first six months of the pandemic and are using this experience to inform our preparations,” said PJ Care Chairman, Neil Russell.

“The management team meets daily to monitor the situation closely, and ensure we are fully prepared.

“In addition to the expected second wave of coronavirus, we usually see an impact on our staff this time of year from winter colds and flu.”

PJ Care has already begun recruiting temporary carers in anticipation of staffing levels being affected. It also aims to recruit a Covid-19 tester, a temporary post that has been created to support the management and development of internal testing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In April, it took on 78 temporary care, housekeeping and catering staff across their centres in Peterborough and Milton Keynes. Many of the new recruits had lost jobs in the hospitality or retail industry and were facing financial uncertainty.

Neil explained: “We welcomed people from all walks of life – including a magician, personal trainer, finance director, and hairdresser - as care, commitment and passion were key rather than formal experience. Some have stayed with us and become permanent members of staff.

“We have been amazed at the response to our appeal for staff this time round.”

PJ Care runs Eagle Wood neurological care centre, located on Bretton Way, which has four units, including a neurorehabilitation unit. They provide high quality care for extremely vulnerable adults. Most of the residents are under the age of 65 and need specialist nursing care.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We have strict infection control measures in place and we always have at least six weeks’ worth of PPE stocks,” added Neil.

“Our staff have all been wearing full PPE for the last six months, which is very tiring, but they are just marvellous and continue to put every effort into everything they do.

“Their health and wellbeing is closely monitored, and we have introduced measures to keep them as safe as possible, including providing a minibus to get them to work so they don’t have to use public transport.”

At present, access by visitors to Eagle Wood has been stopped in an effort to keep out the coronavirus and people are only allowed in under exceptional circumstances.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The welfare of our residents is paramount, and we have strict protocols in place to protect them,” Neil continued. “Part of that care is keeping them in touch with loved ones and we are looking at how to offer visiting opportunities as it’s getting too cold for socially-distanced meet-ups in the gardens.”

Eagle Wood, like many care settings, has been keeping residents in contact with family members via video and telephone calls and has introduced new activities to keep them occupied such as a cookery group and a bespoke online show of stories and songs.

“Perhaps our biggest learning from the pandemic has been to trust ourselves,” Neil said.

“We understand our residents, we are confident in our procedures and protocols and we are best placed to make decisions that impact on their care and safety.”