THE UNIVERSITY Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust is taking a leading role in combatting coronavirus in Cumbrian care homes.

Agnieszka Payne, manager at Croftside Residential Care Home in Milnthorpe, said: “It has been a very difficult time for care homes during the coronavirus pandemic.

“The community team has been so helpful. Just knowing that we have the support, guidance and advice from our local team that is only a phone call away gives us the reassurance.

“The training delivered during this time made a big difference to how we care for our service users and has also given staff the confidence to attempt new ways of working.

“We have more to come and can’t wait for them to arrive.”

Kate Maynard, interim chief operating officer at UHMBT, said: “Our community teams have done a fantastic job of ensuring that our frontline colleagues are well supported and that our patients, especially those who are vulnerable or who are shielding, continue to receive the very best care possible.”