Staff at Abbotswood Nursing Home have shown their dedication by staying in lockdown with residents during the coronavirus pandemic.

Care workers, kitchen staff and ancillary workers decided to temporarily say good bye to their families and stay in the Ballasalla nursing home to keep vulnerable residents safe.

The staff members have been split into two groups of 30 where they will work for two weeks before swapping with those who are waiting in self-isolation at home.

Zandra Preston, director and nurse manager, said she ’can not speak highly enough’ of the staff at Abbotswood.

’They’ve isolated themselves at this time when a lot of people would want to be with their families. They’ve shown me what they are made of,’ she said.

Often she will receive photos from staff members during their down-time inside.

’They’re playing games, playing football or being out in the garden and will sometimes get the residents involved. They’re tired, but having a good time,’ she said.

It was decided on March 16 that the nursing home would be closed to visitors. As soon as there was a confirmed case on the island, all staff members with underlying health issues were told to stay home.

On March 22, the first team of those who volunteered to stay in lockdown was called into action. They currently have one room to themselves with matresses in.

’If we hadn’t had acted that quickly, we would’ve had a case already,’ said Mrs Preston. ’The staff have been giving each other a hand even on their days off. One ancillary worker is 70 years old and is now working full days when usually he works around three hours in a day.

’We usually have 100 staff in total, so you can see the commitment really.’

Mrs Preston said they are struggling to get vital equipment such as hand sanitiser and face masks and added that they do ’feel invisible’.

’Care workers are going above and beyond the call of duty. Nobody thinks about places like us,’ she said.