Free PPE for unpaid carers

Trafford Council has committed to making free PPE available to unpaid carers in the borough, who do not live with the person they care for.

What is an unpaid carer?

Unpaid carers are people who look after a relative or friend who otherwise couldn’t manage without their help. This may be because of illness, frailty, disability, a mental health need or an addiction.

How can I get free PPE?

Collection points are being setup within the borough. Simply contact your closest collection hub from the list below. You will be allocated the appropriate PPE and given a suitable time for collection.

• Age UK Trafford (Urmston) The Sharples, 1-3 Church Rd, Urmston, Manchester M41 9EH
  Call: 0161 746 9754 or email:admin@ageuktrafford.org.uk

• Trafford Carer’s Centre (Sale) First Floor, 19B School Rd, Sale M33 7XX
  Call: 0161 848 2400 or email: info@traffordcarecscentre.org.uk  

• The Hub community centre (Altrincham), Pownall Road, Altrincham, WA14 2SZ
  Call: 0161 941 2018 or email: info@ourhub.org

• Limelight Health and Wellbeing Centre (Old Trafford), 1 St Brides Way, Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester M16 9NW
  Call: 0300 011 2112, or email: info@limelightoldtrafford.co.uk

 How to use PPE

 Putting on and removing PPE safely

• Put on your PPE at least two metres away from the person you are visiting, and anyone else in the household.

• Take off PPE when at least two metres away from the person you care for, or any person who has a cough. Surgical masks should be put on before you enter, or immediately as you enter their house. If you need to remove your face mask for whatever reason, ensure you do this 2 metres away from others.

Please follow this link for an instructional video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GncQ_ed-9w

Dealing with PPE waste

• Waste should be placed in a refuse bag and can be disposed of as normal domestic waste unless the person you care for has symptoms of COVID-19.

• Waste from people with symptoms of COVID-19, waste from cleaning of areas where they have been (including disposable cloths and used tissues) and PPE waste from their care:

1. Should be put in a plastic rubbish bag and tied when full.

2. The plastic bag should then be placed in a second bin bag and tied.

3. It should be put in a suitable and secure place and marked for storage for 72 hours.

Waste should be stored safely and securely kept away from children. You should not put your waste in communal waste areas until the waste has been stored for at least 72 hours. This waste does not require a dedicated clinical waste collection in the above circumstances. Do NOT put any items of PPE (or face coverings of any kind) in the recycling bin. All other waste should be treated as per normal practice.

For more information, please visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-how-to-work-safely-in-domiciliary-care