Coronavirus: Sussex care home calls on major supermarkets to relax item restrictions

Laura Harvey, deputy manager at Millcroft Care Home For The Elderly in Horam, said today (Friday) she visited Tesco in Lottbridge Drove and the Tesco in North Street, Hailsham, but neither store allowed them to buy enough stock to feed their residents.

This has led to staff having to go shopping regularly, against the government’s ‘social-distancing’ advice, which is increasing the risk of residents catching coronavirus, Laura said.

Miss Harvey said, “I understand rationing, and it works, but we have 25 vulnerable adults to feed. We are trying to tell Tesco, and all supermarkets, we need to get some basic food for the residents.

“The staff are constantly having to go back and forth to the shops to try and get enough stock, but in doing so we are putting ourselves and the residents at more risk of the virus.

“Some shops let the elderly in for an hour in the morning but there’s nothing in place for us at all. We’ve been to Tesco in Eastbourne and Hailsham and we have showed them ID and documentation and still nothing.

“We’re feeling really upset. Everyone is upset because all the staff are using their rations and taking them to work rather than taking them home. We are feeling bad for the staff. We want to say just ‘give us leeway’ as long as we can show proof of ID.

“We are managing but we are having to cut back a lot. We just don’t know when we are going to be able to get stock. We usually buy in bulk every week. We have spent millions at Tesco before but now they’re not willing help.

“It is sad. We are trying not to let this stress and worry get to the residents. Soon they are going to realise there is no bread or cereal or even a cup of tea.”

A Tesco spokesperson said, “Unfortunately, these measures mean we may not be able to support people who normally buy in large quantities from Tesco stores or online.

“Our wholesale business, Booker, is better set up to meet the needs of these customers. If a care home needs urgent access to supplies, they should contact their local Booker branch to discuss how we can support them.

“Separately, to ensure our more vulnerable and elderly customers can shop in-store at Tesco, we have prioritised one hour every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning between 9-10am (except in our Express stores).”

• Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is an illness which affects the lungs and airways. Symptoms are a high temperature and continuous cough.

• NHS advice is to regularly wash your hands, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell. • If you live alone, stay at home for seven days if you have either a high temperature or a new, continuous cough.

• If you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill

• Call 111 if you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home, or your symptoms get worse.