A new Survation survey of health and social care workers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland has shone a light on the dangers faced by workers in care provision during the COVID-19 crisis.

The poll, conducted by Survation on behalf of GMB Union, asked 2,572 GMB members working in health and social care about their experiences of working during the coronavirus crisis, and their views on the dangers faced by staff.

99% of those surveyed – workers in care homes, community care, hospitals, and health centres – said that they had not been tested for COVID-19. 86% were worried they would pass COVID-19 on to members of their family or household.

Fewer than half (47%) of respondents said they had been provided with adequate personal protective equipment to safely do their job.  43% said they had not been provided with adequate PPE, and 10% were uncertain.

4 in 5 respondents working in social care (79%) said it is likely that there will be staff shortages in social care because people will be unwilling to work at current levels of pay amid the increased risk posed by COVID-19. 70% said it is likely that some care workers will die as a result of COVID-19 after being infected at work, with 44% reporting a lack of adequate PPE at work.

Survation conducted a telephone and online poll of 2,572 GMB Union members working in health and social care in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Fieldwork was between 8th – 17th April 2020. Data tables are available here.

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