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THE public are being warned of a ‘significant risk’ of disruption to health and social care services across Dorset due to panic buying that has left essential workers struggling for fuel.
Emergency services, health organizations and local authorities in Dorset gathered today to discuss the impacts of panic buying seen across the county.
Partners reported that a growing number of staff who need fuel to get to work in hospitals and acute care facilities, as well as workers providing care to vulnerable people, are now reporting difficulty trying to go about their business.
Dorset CCG Deputy Director of Nursing Pam O’Shea said: ‘We are asking people to be aware of how their actions in buying panic fuel are affecting our frontline health and social care staff on on which we depend to be able to travel to provide care to the sick, vulnerable and dying in our communities.
The risks come in addition to partner agencies already under pressure due to staff absences due to the pandemic. In addition, some public sector organizations do not have bunker fuel stocks and depend on commercial service stations for their fuel.
BCP Council Chief Drew Mellor said: “There is now a very serious risk to ensuring that vulnerable people can get the life-saving care they need. Critical social workers protecting adults and children need fuel to get around and I strongly urge the public to think twice before joining a line at the gas station. ”
Cllr Laura Miller, Portfolio Holder for Adult Health and Social Care, said, “Please just take what you need. Buying fuel normally means that social workers can reach out to our vulnerable people. We can overcome this, but it means being thoughtful.
“Remember someone’s elderly relative is sitting alone while waiting for their caregiver to come. ”
