THE council leader has highlighted the ‘disastrous’ prospect of withdrawing care workers from the front line due to a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE).

It comes as the Labour-run council issued a desperate plea for donations of PPE for its social care workforce.

Staff are continuing to provide services to the town’s frail and most vulnerable residents amid the coronavirus outbreak but are running very low on equipment, which can help protect them from contracting the virus.

Town Hall chiefs say the health and social care sector in the borough is struggling to obtain enough supplies for its staff to deliver care safely, with risks of workers contracting the virus and passing it onto others increasing each day.

Council leader Cllr Russ Bowden slammed the Conservative Government for the ‘unacceptable’ delays to the delivery of PPE.

He tweeted: “You wouldn’t send a steeplejack up a chimney without a safety harness – so why are care workers expected to support our vulnerable residents without the appropriate PPE?”

Cllr Bowden has since released a further statement on the situation.

He said: “We were promised sufficient PPE for our heroic care workers two weeks ago.

“Receiving this PPE has lagged behind the national announcement and we are now faced with the grim reality of putting our care workers at greater risk by not being able to supply them with adequate equipment.

“It is our legal responsibility and moral duty to ensure that staff and residents are properly protected.

“We shouldn’t have to make this desperate plea for donations of any disposable aprons, gloves or masks but we have no choice.

“The only other option would be to withdraw our care workers from the front line, but I fear this would have disastrous consequences.”

Cllr Rebecca Knowles, cabinet member for adult social care, also expressed fears over the ‘much-delayed’ package of PPE from the Government and labelled care workers as absolute heroes.

Tory Warrington South MP Andy Carter has been speaking to figures in Westminster about the issue.

He said: “I am working as hard as I can to fight for supplies for Warrington with the Cabinet Office, with the NHS and with the secretary of state personally.”

Professions that could support with donations include dentists, vets, health and beauty, as well as hazardous industries, such as those responsible for asbestos removal.

Donations urgently needed are disposable aprons, disposable gloves, protective face masks, protective eye goggles and hand sanitiser gel.

Donations can be made to Orford Jubilee Hub or Warrington Town Hall between 9.30am and 4pm each day.