Halifax staff have been 'living in care home' since March to help residents

Two care workers have been described as going 'above and beyond' to help residence at a Halifax care home during coronavirus (Covid-19) lockdown.
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Carers John Sharp, 45, and Keeley Leech, 23, both work at Park View Care Home, in Lee Mount, and have been living in the home since March 30 in order to stop the spread of deadly virus.

The Halifax care home has a total of 38 residents and 35 staff, which is led by manager Pauline Henderson, 57, who has praised her staff's efforts as 'absolutely astonishing'.

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She said: "On March 17 I decided to stop visiting to the home completely.

Carers at Park View Care Home, Lee Mount, HalifaxCarers at Park View Care Home, Lee Mount, Halifax
Carers at Park View Care Home, Lee Mount, Halifax

"We didn't want the virus to keep building.

"It's been very difficult, but the staff have been absolutely astonishing - particularly John and Keeley, who remained on site since lockdown began."

Father-of-three Mr Sharp said: "It's been hard because I've been away from my three girls and wife since March.

"I've spoken to my family on video calls but it's not the same.

Carer Jason Sharp, at Park View Care Home, Lee Mount, HalifaxCarer Jason Sharp, at Park View Care Home, Lee Mount, Halifax
Carer Jason Sharp, at Park View Care Home, Lee Mount, Halifax

"But the residents at the home have needed me.

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"Leaving and coming back to work could have brought in the virus to people living at the home, who are vulnerable.

"I feel like I've become very close to all of them - they are like my second family."

Ms Leech said: "I've stayed within the home since March because it wouldn't have been safe for these residents to be exposed to any virus I could have brought in if I left.

Carer Keeley Leech, at Park View Care Home, Lee Mount, Halifax (web)Carer Keeley Leech, at Park View Care Home, Lee Mount, Halifax (web)
Carer Keeley Leech, at Park View Care Home, Lee Mount, Halifax (web)

"It wouldn't have been fair - and staying within the building this entire time has been worth it."

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Ms Henderson said the staff, who have been living at the home, have been sleeping on airbeds and she has been doing regular trips for food from the shops.

"So far we've had no cases of coronavirus, which I think is partly due to the home not taking on any agency staff, which I felt would result in the virus being brought into the home during the lockdown period," said Ms Henderson.

Relatives of residents within the home have provided their support of the staff at the home.

Richard Blaylock said: "My father Charlie is in Park View he is 96 years old.

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"Pauline has done a superb job over the past few months keeping us informed with regular newsletters, she has been preparing for this since January, topping up on PPE and closing the home earlier to visitors than most and staff have been living in.

"If all care homes had done the same the situation would have been better.

"Pauline hasn’t relied on the government to give guidance she has used her experience and common sense to manage the situation.

"A lot of care homes are using the government to hide their own inadequacies."

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June Schwab said: "My 94-year-old mum, May Holroyd, is a resident there and myself and family can’t praise Pauline and all her team enough for going above and beyond to keep all the elderly in their care safe and well during lock down. Not one single person has been infected with Covid.

"Pauline has preempted the virus, she has always ensured she had plenty of PPE in, and her staff have been exemplary staying overnight to ensure continuity of care.

"I can’t thank Park View enough for what they’ve done to keep Mum safe.

Yvonne Smith, who has not seen her mum and Park View resident since before lockdown, said: "We realise this was necessary and the first thing we'd like to say is the Pauline has made excellent decisions and her staff have gone above and beyond to protect their residents.

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"Pauline has provided us with regular updates to keep us informed about our Mother and also to offer reassurance as to how they are progressing through this ordeal.

"Our main concern is that mother is safe and well, which she is, but as she has dementia we hope she will still know us when we do get to see her again."

Going forward Ms Henderson said she is starting put the staff router back to a normalised one, and the home will introduce a shielding room when visitors want to see high-dependency and vulnerable residents.

Ms Henderson also praised other members of staff including Kelly Drahosz; Nichola Ellis; Ryan Gray; Michelle Wood; Emma Flood; Harris Wilson; Mary Wilson; Rose Jackson; Angela Mclean; Jackie Parker; and Zoyah Akhtar.

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