Relative's letter prompts Michael Gove to visit 'passionately-run' care home

Michael Gove, the new Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has praised care workers at a care home for “tirelessly” working throughout the pandemic, after a resident's relative wrote to him about her husband’s excellent care.

The Surrey Heath MP visited Lakeview Care Home in Lightwater, Surrey and thanked its staff for their efforts during his visit which was prompted by a letter from Mary Kearney who highlighted the great care her husband Kevin Kearney received.

Michael Gove said: “Lakeview is a brilliant, passionately run care home, and I was delighted to see first-hand the dedication shown by all the staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to make sure that residents are safe and healthy.

“I am so grateful to Inder Hanzra, the general manager, for taking the time to show me the home’s exemplary facilities, and I look forward to returning soon.”

Inderpreet Hanzra, general manager at Lakeview Care Home, which is run by Hallmark Care Homes said: “It means a lot to myself and the team that Mary is happy with the care that we provide to her husband and wrote to Michael Gove personally to acknowledge us.

“The team has worked so hard throughout the pandemic to keep everyone safe, happy and engaged and I am immensely proud of them all.”

During his visit, Mr Gove asked staff and residents about the government’s latest policies including the government's introduction of mandatory Covid vaccination for all care home workers.

Health secretary Sajid Javid: 'Pandemic changed everything'

Michael Gove's visit comes days before Health Secretary Sajid Javid brought together health and social care leaders for a summit to help shape reform and told them "we can't carry on with business as usual".

Mr Javid invited senior and local leaders to seek their views on how reforms can be delivered.

After the summit, Mr Javid said: “We can’t carry on with business as usual, that’s why today I’ve brought together vital leaders and experts from across the health and social care world to hear their views on how we deliver necessary reforms to meet and overcome the challenges we face, and I thank all those who joined.

“The pandemic changed everything and left us with large backlogs. It’s a huge challenge, but the last eighteen months has shown what we are capable of achieving when we work together towards a common goal.

“I’m confident we can tackle waiting lists and deliver the ambitious reforms needed to help our health and social care system recover and move forwards for the better from this wretched pandemic.”

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