Covid Testing, Lorry Drivers and Home Carers
I listened to FMQs in the Scottish Parliament earlier today and I was pleased to hear the first minister pledging that the Scottish Government would assist in any way it can to help relieve the blockage at Dover - for example by testing lorry drivers before they leave Scotland.
But what I'd like to know is if the Scottish Government can pull out all the stops to help lorry drivers and perishable goods get to market, then why can't the First Minister show the same sense of urgency by organising routine testing for Home Carers in Glasgow?
Glasgow MPs - Fed Up, Fobbed Off Home Carers (17/12/20)
I've been keeping an eye out to see if any of Glasgow's MSPs or MPs have been speaking out in support of the city's Home Carers who are demanding regular testing to protect themselves and their clients from Covid-19.
Nothing so far, I'm afraid although I did come across this Scottish Sun article about the SNP's David Linden who has managed to find the time to post birthday cards (at public expense) to selected constituents in Glasgow East.
A Westminster parliamentary inquiry apparently decided that Mr Linden used the birthday cards to promote himself and ordered him to pay back £147.34 in postage.
Meanwhile thousands of Glasgow's front line Home Carers are still waiting on a show of support from local councillors and/or elected members of Scottish and Westminster Parliaments - if they're not too busy dealing with other pressing local issues, of course.Glasgow MSPs - Fed Up, Fobbed Off Home Carers (12/12/20)
I thought I'd have look and see what Glasgow's MSPs and MPs have to say for themselves on social media - and first up is James Dornan the SNP MSP for Glasgow Cathcart.
Now James was a local city councillor in years gone by, the leader of the SNP group is I remember correctly, but as far as I can see he hasn't cracked a light about Glasgow's fed up and fobbed off Homes Carers.
Although James did find the time to comment about Prince William and Kate Middleton's recent royal visit to Edinburgh to thank NHS workers.
Glasgow MSPs - Who's The Quietest Of Them All? (10/12/20)
I am waiting with baited breath to hear if any of Glasgow's MSPs (or MPs) speak up in support of the city's front line Home Carers.
But so far Glasgow's politicians are living up to their reputation for being as quiet as a church mouse - or the spin cycle on a new washing machine.
Glasgow Home Carers - Fobbed Off and Fed Up (09/12/20)
Seems to me the carers are being treated as second class citizens since Scottish Ministers have found the resources needed to get students tested and home safely for Christmas.
Yet refuse to pull the stops out for regular Covid testing to protect front-line carers and their clients.
By Ruth Suter - Glasgow Times
'Put to the back of the queue': Glasgow home carers demand immediate Covid-19 workplace testing
Home carers in Glasgow are demanding immediate workplace testing for coronavirus amid anger of being "put to the back of the queue.
Workers through Glasgow's Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) have hit out at the roll-out of the Scottish Government's priority testing programme.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced on Friday, October 23 that priority testing would be extended to home care workers - only for the Health Secretary Jeane Freeman to announce just one month later that testing would be rolled-out for home care from mid-January.
Since then, two temporary testing sites have been launched by Glasgow City Councilin Dalmarnock and Pollokshields. Students have been offered tests to return home for Christmas while pilot projects have been launched to test care home visitors.
Almost 1500 GMB home care members will be asked if they are prepared to take industrial action to secure immediate and regular testing at work for Covid-19.
Rhea Wolfson of the GMB Scotland Women’s Campaign Unit said: “There is no excuse for leaving home carers waiting until next year for COVID-19 testing at work. The First Minister said home carers would get priority testing, but this isn’t what a priority looks like, this is how it feels to be put to the back of the queue.
“If testing centres can be set-up in high risk communities within a matter of days, and if students can get a test to return home to their families for Christmas, then why are home carers, who will work in these communities throughout the festive period, being left to wait?
“We’ve asked the council to intervene, the council say they are waiting on more guidance from government, but there is no trust left in the government’s promises and timelines. From PPE to testing these workers have been consistently failed over the last ten months.
“Our members believe the only people who will stand-up for their safety and value are themselves, campaigning together under the banner of their trade union, and they have been left with no choice but to ballot.”
The ballot will start today and end at 12pm on Thursday, December 17.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Our social care key workers are on the frontline of our national pandemic response and their work is hugely valued. It is crucial that they are able to access testing when needed, with results provided in a timely manner.
“We have announced plans for significant expansion in testing – initially in areas of highest virus prevalence – for hospital patients, health and social care staff.
“In social care, testing will be expanded over the coming months for designated visitors, visiting professional staff, and care at home workers. A full roll out will come in January.
“The introduction of lateral flow testing in the New Year to the care at home workforce will enhance existing visiting guidance providing an additional layer of protection. No test is 100% accurate, and testing will not replace other layers of protection, including appropriate PPE and Infection, prevention and control protocols.”
Coronavirus Scotland: Glasgow home carers demand immediate Covid workplace testing
By Ruth Suter - Glasgow Times
'Put to the back of the queue': Glasgow home carers demand immediate Covid-19 workplace testing
Home carers in Glasgow are demanding immediate workplace testing for coronavirus amid anger of being "put to the back of the queue.
Workers through Glasgow's Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) have hit out at the roll-out of the Scottish Government's priority testing programme.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced on Friday, October 23 that priority testing would be extended to home care workers - only for the Health Secretary Jeane Freeman to announce just one month later that testing would be rolled-out for home care from mid-January.
Since then, two temporary testing sites have been launched by Glasgow City Councilin Dalmarnock and Pollokshields. Students have been offered tests to return home for Christmas while pilot projects have been launched to test care home visitors.
Almost 1500 GMB home care members will be asked if they are prepared to take industrial action to secure immediate and regular testing at work for Covid-19.
Rhea Wolfson of the GMB Scotland Women’s Campaign Unit said: “There is no excuse for leaving home carers waiting until next year for COVID-19 testing at work. The First Minister said home carers would get priority testing, but this isn’t what a priority looks like, this is how it feels to be put to the back of the queue.
“If testing centres can be set-up in high risk communities within a matter of days, and if students can get a test to return home to their families for Christmas, then why are home carers, who will work in these communities throughout the festive period, being left to wait?
“We’ve asked the council to intervene, the council say they are waiting on more guidance from government, but there is no trust left in the government’s promises and timelines. From PPE to testing these workers have been consistently failed over the last ten months.
“Our members believe the only people who will stand-up for their safety and value are themselves, campaigning together under the banner of their trade union, and they have been left with no choice but to ballot.”
The ballot will start today and end at 12pm on Thursday, December 17.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Our social care key workers are on the frontline of our national pandemic response and their work is hugely valued. It is crucial that they are able to access testing when needed, with results provided in a timely manner.
“We have announced plans for significant expansion in testing – initially in areas of highest virus prevalence – for hospital patients, health and social care staff.
“In social care, testing will be expanded over the coming months for designated visitors, visiting professional staff, and care at home workers. A full roll out will come in January.
“The introduction of lateral flow testing in the New Year to the care at home workforce will enhance existing visiting guidance providing an additional layer of protection. No test is 100% accurate, and testing will not replace other layers of protection, including appropriate PPE and Infection, prevention and control protocols.”
