• I WANT to bring up a couple of things which are not in the news but which I feel are really vital that people think about.

Psychiatric wards have not been providing enough PPE for the staff, but also, how are the patients supposed to keep themselves safe?

I know of one man who caught Covid-19 while on the wards in a local psychiatric unit and died after being moved into the covid-19 wards.

Many people with mental health problems also have auto-immune conditions, which mean they are much more vulnerable to Covid-19.

Bus drivers are worried because anyone can travel for free. Many homeless are sitting on the bus all day and night buses still operating.

Drivers are concerned about how much this is going to add to the spread of the virus when key workers are using public transport too.

Many people with physical disabilities are not being highlighted as vulnerable and not being given access to priority delivery slots for food shopping. Many just can’t get to the shop and certainly could not physically endure any queue.

Early-morning slots are totally unreasonable because it can take much longer for some people with disabilities to get up, washed, dressed and ready to go out. This includes waiting for a care worker to come to help us out of bed if needed.

Also because of the high cost of home care charges introduced by Camden, many people stopped accessing adult social care they need.

They may still have great need for physical support but are no longer on Camden’s list and so charities and self-reporting are being relied on to gain help.

Hammersmith and Fulham are the only council I know of who do not charge for adult social care. They also have phoned each and every person on their books, as well as sending a letter, to find out what their needs are and how to meet them.

If that borough can do it, why can’t Camden and every other borough in the country?

ELIZABETH JOHNSTON
Sumatra Road, NW6