Sheffield charity brands lack of Covid testing for adult day support workers 'unacceptable'

Paces, a charity which works with thousands of adults and children every week, said no regular Covid testing is available for adult day support workers and bosses have launched a petition to call for urgent action by the Government to rectify the issue.

The chief executive of Paces, Spencer Pitfield, said: “Individuals who need adult day care to live their lives, and the support workers who provide that care, are one of the forgotten groups of this pandemic.

“It cannot be emphasised enough how important adult day care is – to provide respite for the family and friends of those caring for these individuals and for the individuals themselves who are nurtured and develop in an environment that helps them achieve their potential.

“None of that support can happen without adult day support workers and it is unacceptable that we are still unable to access regular testing for them - unacceptable for the support workers who want to keep themselves and their families safe, and unacceptable for those being supported who are being unwittingly and needlessly put at risk.”

The petition calls for regular, weekly testing of adult day support workers to ensure the vital services can continue safely.

Its says it is ‘unfair and hard to understand’ why adult day support workers are not able to access regular testing when the country’s testing capacity has been dramatically expanded in recent months.

Dr Pitfeld added: “I know the Health and Social Care Secretary is incredibly busy, but I ask that he urgently addresses this missing part of the testing system, to ensure the lifeline these vital services provided by adult day support workers, can continue safely.

"This petition is designed to show the strength of that support.”

The online petition can be found here at www.timetotest.co.uk

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.