Nursing home near Chichester 'ripped apart' by Covid-19 begs government for answers: 'Where are our vaccines?'

Residents and staff at Pinewood Nursing Home in Chidham remained entirely virus-free for the first two lockdowns due to hard work and perseverance but a 'huge' outbreak that began on Wednesday (January 6) has left the nursing home in dire straits.

At the time of writing, 13 residents and 17 members of staff have tested positive for Covid-19. A number of staff members have been sent home but a support from the home's owners and an 'abundance' of PPE means no residents have contracted the virus in the past six days.

Manager Denise Viviers now has one crucial question to the Government: "Where is the vaccine?"

Denise described the situation as 'heartbreaking' and said: "it makes us feel like we are fighting a losing battle. We have worked really hard to remain Covid free but it has now ripped us apart. What I do not understand, is that the vaccine is no where to be heard of, only in pipeline. How fair is this?

"If we had got it when it was first released we may not have had this awful outbreak and be in this position. We care deeply about our residents and staff.

"I am so proud of my staff - they are working really hard and the six that had to go home are absolutely devastated.

Among the residents who have tested positive are a 101-year-old and a 102-year-old who are feeling unwell but 'their spirit is healthy' and staff are working hard to keep them smiling.

"They are both doing well considering what they have been through," she said.

Denise said she knows other care homes are in the same position adding: "These residents have lived, worked and been through wars and this is their consolation? I feel just terrible explaining to them that we have no vaccine news for them.

"It is very hard work but it remains rewarding for us and families have been more than thankful but are also desperate to get the vaccine. If we had in the beginning, we wouldn't be in this position."

She gave this message to the government: "Please give us the vaccine. The staff I have got left need it to continue to care for the residents and the residents need it to continue having a healthy and happy life."

At the prospect of administering the vaccine in-house, Denise said: "We are more than happy to do that and more than happy for our nurses to give it. We are qualified nurses, we can do it as long as we have the training.

"The GPs are in despair as well will people asking for the vaccine everyday."

A spokesperson for the Sussex COVID-19 vaccination programme said: “We extend our sincere gratitude to the staff of Pinewood Nursing Home for all they have done to care for their residents throughout the pandemic; the role of homes over the last year has been fundamental in our response to COVID-19.

"Care homes residents and their team are priority group one for the vaccination programme and we are fully committed to delivering this to all care and nursing homes in the coming weeks.

"We aim to have vaccinated at all care homes with residents over 65 years old scheduled for vaccination by the end of January, and all homes across Sussex by mid-February.

"In Sussex we have one of the highest numbers of nursing and care homes across the country and so this is a significant undertaking; the roll out is unprecedented and subject to supplies of the vaccine but our teams are working at pace to get COVID-19 vaccinations to those who need them most.

"We are contacting Pinewood Nursing Home regarding the dates for the home’s vaccination and look forward to working with the team there to provide this vital protection to their residents and their staff.”