A UNION is threatening a care home walkout if a council transfers patients from a psychiatric hospital without testing them for coronavirus.

Brighton GMB claimed staff at Ireland Lodge in Woodingdean, Brighton, are unhappy with Brighton and Hove City Council plans to transfer patients from Mill View Hospital in Hove in the middle of the pandemic, though it has not said why.

But health chief Councillor Clare Moonan insisted no more beds will be filled at Ireland Lodge until meetings with staff are held.

Union secretary Mark Turner, right, said staff were also worried after hand sanitiser was taken from the care home and given to other carers across the city at the weekend.

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He called for the city council to lock down Ireland Lodge, which cares for elderly residents with dementia, or face a possible strike.

“If they can’t protect the residents and staff we will consider walking out under the 1974 Health and Safety Act to them,” he said.

“That’s how seriously we’re taking this.

“Removing hand sanitiser, along with looking to increase capacity without testing any new residents, is irresponsible at best.

“Council officers are simply robbing Peter to pay Paul with regard to safety equipment.”

But Cllr Moonan claimed Ireland Lodge had all the protective equipment it required.

She said a one-off shipment for the city’s neediest care homes arrived yesterday, but she did not say if Ireland Lodge would receive equipment.

“Ireland Lodge has hand sanitiser in all dispensers but most importantly has ready and plentiful access to soap and water,” Cllr Moonan said.

“In Brighton and Hove we have today taken delivery of 6,000 goggle frames and lenses, 22,000 aprons, 60,000 gloves, 12,000 Type IIR masks and 840 FFP3 masks.”

“This is a stopgap arrangement and we’re told that the national supply chain will go live imminently which will see PPE issued to all CQC registered providers”

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