West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has praised the efforts of care home workers as front-line staff face up to the challenges of helping the county’s elderly population throughout the coronavirus crisis.

The MP has contacted a number of care homes in her constituency to say thanks and to check on the availability of protective equipment as virus cases nears the peak across the UK.

Harriett is receiving regular briefings from Worcestershire County Council and local health bosses regarding the availability of specialist kit.

Harriett commented: “There has been a lot of publicity about the availability of personal protective equipment and I have heartened by the positive feedback both from those people managing the supply chain but also front-line workers in local care homes.

“Although there is some understandable concern about the long-term supply, everyone I have spoken to was confident that they have the right amount of kit available at the moment.

“I am eager to hear from anyone working in the local NHS or care system who is struggling to access PPE so I can feed that information into the local resilience team.

“I’m also really proud of the great efforts by local businesses and volunteer groups who are trying to help out supplying kit to our NHS.

“But the most important thing everyone can do this weekend is continue to stay at home, help to delay the spread of the virus and save lives.”