Helen,
I think you’re right to ask the Agency to supply you with info about their policy and training on this. Skye mentions the “deficiencies in the care industry” and the fact that “the system needs to change”. Correct! And there are many of us busting a gut, day in day out, trying to make those changes happen, and trying to correct those deficiencies in the care industry. With success in some areas, less success in others; but it’s only when we all do as you have done, and ask for details of the policy, procedures, training etc, (whether to do with colds and flu, or with other major issues) that we will ever know about their existence.
And, let’s face it, there are major areas of concern that we all have which are covered by “policy and staff training and procedures” - perhaps in existence on paper, but ignored in reality. That’s what I’m working to change.
I think Karen’s right, when she said that we have to balance the risks against the need for care. Germs and infections and viruses aren’t always at their most dangerous once the ‘visible’ signs are there. Going to the toilet, then not washing hands = one of the most dangerous issues of all: you leave the loo by placing your hands on the door knob! (Apologies for choice of word there.) Next person in does likewise. I’d like to see a lock-that-will-not-open-unless-and-until-you-have-washed-your-hands on all public (private?) toilets!! With a wash-hand basin in the cubicle! Oh, if only! And you can never be sure where your” sitter has sat” on any given day, or the surroundings s/he may have been in.
Supermarkets and shops full of people sneezing and coughing at the moment, as they fondle the tomatoes and grapes and so on. Even those who aren’t coughing and sneezing may have a lurgy whilst fondling toms and grapes too.
But what troubles me is that there is a flu jab available every year – and I am of the firm belief that Agency staff (and other medics and care home staff and relatives and support workers etc etc), in fact all of those who come into close contact with ‘vulnerable people’ (young or old; dementia patients or not) should be required to have that flu jab, as part of their contract of employment. It won’t protect against all strains, but it does protect against some and the most likely ones. I’ve had a flu jab for years now – to protect not me, but for me to be able to protect. Flu jabs are frequently given to dementia patients too, but I’m not saying they’re suitable for every one.
Poorly paid agency workers are the same as any other worker. How many of us have been at work with colleagues who really should have known better – and stayed at home. The ‘should have known better’ syndrome covers many aspects of care, and can sometimes be responsible for equally disastrous, or even more disastrous results than colds and flu.
Helen, I agree with you wholeheartedly: someone who has a heavy cold or flu-like symptoms should not put at risk the vulnerable person in their care. Of course you are sensitive to this because of Alan’s previous experience, and so you should be. My wish for the world is that all those of us with sensitivities about whatever aspect of care should have those sensitivities addressed and respected. So, huff on, Helen, huff on!!
Hope you had a good night’s sleep!
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