Sunderland care home staff to get pay rise as they continue coronavirus fight

Springfield House care home, in Houghton-le-Spring, is stepping up to provide extra support for its staff during the pandemic.

All employees are receiving a director-funded five % pay rise - with wages paid one week in advance to support them and their families with the additional financial pressures caused by the current situation.

The home is also supporting staff by having the entire team’s household shopping delivered to Springfield House every Wednesday so they can avoid going to supermarkets, protecting both the staff and vulnerable residents.

Springfield House managing director Phil Carey said: “It’s more important than ever that we, as responsible employers, take good care of and protect our staff. Care workers are doing an incredibly stressful and vital job caring for our loved ones and it is important that they stay safe for themselves and their families, as well as our residents.

“This is an uncertain and extremely stressful time so I wanted to immediately do everything I possibly could to ensure my team feel valued and know how much we all appreciate their hard work. As a result, we are staffed to 100% and moral is fantastic.”

On Wednesday, April 22 it was reported that there were 1,043 registered Covid-19 deaths in care homes in England and Wales up to April 10.

Now the Department of Health and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have said they believe that the number of deaths between April 11-April 15 could be double that.

Springfield House is also keeping its staff physically protected with over 30 days’ supplies of all PPE, including face shields, surgical masks, gloves, arm protection, aprons, and hair covers.

Coun Geoffrey Walker, Sunderland City Council’s cabinet member for health and social care, commented: “It is fantastic to see Springfield House supporting its staff this way. Care workers are doing a vitally important job which is especially crucial during this pandemic, and I am delighted to see that they are able to stay safe and get the help they need during this uncertain time.”

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