Health Minister Vaughan Gething has announced that Social Care Wales is launching a new card to recognise registered and unregistered social care workers in similar ways to their NHS colleagues.
Mr Gething said social care workers are “the scaffolding” helping to hold the Welsh health and care system together during the current outbreak. He said a new ID card would be distributed to registered and non-registered carers in Wales by Social Care Wales.
Speaking at the Welsh Government’s update on its response to the Coronavirus on Tuesday, Mr Gething also spoke about an additional £40m of Welsh Government funding to help meet the increased costs being incurred by adult social services during the coronavirus pandemic. The funding will help meet the increased costs of basic PPE, food, staffing costs and ICT.
Mr Gething said the allocation of money would be reviewed and more money may be made available if needed in the future.
Speaking earlier on Tuesday, Mr Gething said;
“Social care plays a vital role in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in Wales and the health service. This work is more important than ever. This additional funding will support the extra costs adult social care services are now facing.
“The Welsh Government has been working with local authorities and other partners to identify the additional resources needed to meet the extra demands on adult social care services. We will review this allocation and potentially make further money available if needed in the future.
At the press conference, Mr Gething paid tribute to healthcare workers who have lost their lives, saying “my thoughts are with them, their friends, families and colleagues at this most difficult of times.”
According to figures released on Monday, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Wales stands at 5,610, although the actual number of cases is likely to be higher. Sadly, 384 people have died in Wales after contracting the virus.
Mr Gething said during the press conference that currently, the number one priority for the Welsh government is to get PPE into the country and to frontline workers.
