Riverview Social Care scandals put residents and workers at risk
GMB hits out at a chronic lack of PPE and ineffective social distancing methods for Care workers at Riverview Care Home in Tilehurst, Reading
GMB, the union for care workers, has slammed the Maria Mallaband care group for a ‘Toxic mix’ of failing to provide appropriate PPE for staff as well as ineffective social distancing methods put workers and vulnerable residents at risk.
Riverview Home has a recently refurnished ward of 40 beds lying empty. But GMB members reported that new residents – transferred straight from Royal Berkshire Hospital - were not being housed in the new ward, but instead put into the existing wards with existing residents, increasing the chances of transmitting COVID-19.
The reports came just 24 hours after GMB members complained about a lack of PPE that would allow them to carry out their work safely.
Reading Borough Council have made assurances to the union that the new any new residents will not be housed in Riverside until new measures to isolate new residents are in place.
Helen Caney, GMB Reading said :“This is completely unacceptable, and questions have to be raised about the competency of the management at Riverside.
“To fail to provide appropriate PPE is bad enough but then to take unnecessary risks when housing new residents is a toxic mix, putting the residents and staff plus their families at huge risk.
“Until we are certain that these practices are abandoned and efforts in place isolate new residents are in place, it would be completely improper to allow new residents here. I’d like to extend my thanks Reading Borough Council Officers for supporting our members and taking these measures.”
Media enquiries: GMB Press Office on 07958 156846 or at press.office@gmb.org.uk
