I was encouraged to hear that Surrey will benefit from £19.2 million of new funding to reduce the transmission of Coronavirus in care homes. This allocation – from a new £600m Infection Control Fund – is the largest for any local authority in England, in recognition of the significant number of care home beds in the county.
With this funding, local authorities like Surrey will be able to ensure that care homes can continue to halt the spread of Coronavirus by helping them cover the costs of implementing measures to reduce transmission.
The funding backs up a wider support package for care home residents and staff, which sets out the steps which must now be taken to keep people in care homes safe. This includes every care home having a named clinical lead to provide direct care for residents.
I know from visiting our local care homes before the Coronavirus outbreak just how dedicated the staff are. They have been working hard to reduce the spread of Coronavirus, for which everyone in Elmbridge and across Surrey is grateful. This new funding will boost these efforts, minimising infections and helping to save lives.
(Image: Dom visiting Arbrook House Care Home in Esher in 2019)
