The Forgotten Night Carers

6.00.00pm GMT Thu 12th Feb 2004

Road Gritters weren't the only people out on the night of the blizzard recently. Home Care teams did vital work supporting patients that night.

Everyone appreciates the commitment of the crews of the gritting lorries who were out all night in the dreadful weather of a couple of weeks ago. But I wonder how many of your readers are aware that the Council's Home Care Night Teams and Mobile Wardens were also out in that horrible weather.

They braved village and estate roads right through the night to make sure that people were safe and cared for. These dedicated and committed teams provide an essential service to people who need help through the night - to get to bed, go to the toilet, have a cup of tea, get up in the morning and so on.

That they succeeded in attending to all of their clients on the night of 28/29 January is testimony to their dedication and commitment to the people they care for. They are the unsung heroes of that night and they deserve a big "thank you" from us all."

Letter published in MK Citizen, 12/2/2004

Irene Henderson, Cabinet Member for Social Care, Housing and Health, Milton Keynes Council