2 weeks Ago
A care home is in “crisis” after being left without water for 36 hours. The Goldbridge in Haywards Heath has been without water after a “burst water main”. South East Water has provided two pallets of bottled water to the care home in Kleinwort Close but this has to provide for 64 “vulnerable” people.
Some are on end-of-life and palliative care. The daughter of one resident said the care home is in “crisis”. She said: “They can’t flush the toilet.
The staff can’t wash their hands properly after personal care between residents, so they’re worried about infection control. “That water has to cover cooking, washing up, laundry, personal care and drinking. Old people dehydrate really easily.
“There are people who are bedridden who need to be bathed every day and you can’t bath old people in cold water. Some people need their sheets changed daily. “The residents have been amazing – they’ve all lived through the war so they’re being understanding but there’s only so long you can manage.
“As a relative I feel for the staff who are doing their best in a really difficult situation. South East Water need to get their act together.” Staff have been forced to take bed linen and towels to a care home in Brighton to be washed and are having to use alcohol gel to sanitise their hands between personal care.
A member of staff said: “We should be a priority – we have 64 vulnerable people living here. We don’t know if it can be sorted over the weekend. We’re in a real predicament.
” Some residents are over 100 years old. According to the relative, an elderly woman from nearby retirement flats came to the home to ask if they had water as she had not been provided with any. “It’s really dangerous”, she said.
Dave Harvey, South East Water incident manager, said: “We’re very sorry to customers in Haywards Heath and surrounding areas who experienced water supply issues following a burst water main in the area yesterday." He said supplies to all households were restored yesterday afternoon, however two care homes close to the location of the burst remain were without water for longer. He added: “We have been delivering water to them while repairs are made, and another delivery is due this evening.
“Customers can keep up-to-date with the latest updates on the company’s website southeastwater.co.uk”.
