COUNCIL chiefs are scrambling for enough crucial equipment to protect frontline care workers from the coronavirus – and have accepted a welcome donation of masks from China.

A shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for key workers in social care and the NHS has dominated headlines across the country over the past week.

Cllr Val Armstrong, cabinet member for adult social care and public health at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “We are lobbying Government to do more and we are also looking at innovative ways to make sure our stockpiles are supplemented.

Knutsford Guardian:

“Our frontline workers are doing an incredible job caring for residents who are sick or vulnerable.

“We need masks and other equipment to protect our frontline staff, who still need to carry out face-to-face contact with residents, who may be displaying symptoms of Covid-19.”

It comes after Cllr Sam Corcoran, leader of Cheshire East Council, slammed the Government in a video on Twitter on Thursday – urging it to do more to provide PPE.

He suggested the ‘national disgrace’ is causing care staff to make difficult choices over who they can and cannot support.

In a statement published today, April 3, CWAC confirmed it is making bulk orders of PPE in partnership with CEC.

The authority is also working with the University of Chester to solve the issue – and has even received a generous donation of medical masks from the province of Fujian, in China.

Cllr Armstrong added: “We are providing our key services with advice and guidance on what equipment to use and how best to use it.

“We also want to ensure our staff in care homes have the correct equipment to protect them from falling ill and continue to carry out their vital role, caring for the most vulnerable.

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“We understand there are many local registered care providers who are struggling to access PPE and we want to assist them, wherever we can, in caring for our most vulnerable residents.”

Any local businesses who can donate unused PPE are being urged to email publichealth@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

For more information on how the council is responding to coronavirus visit cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/coronavirus in Northwich and Winsford.

In Middlewich, Knutsford and Wilmslow, visit cheshireeast.gov.uk/covid19