Life-saving carers: 'We just did our jobs'

A HEROIC mother and daughter team have hit out at criticism of their care firm after saving the life of a dale pensioner.
Carers Gillian and Bethany Dodds were out on call for Castle Care on Friday, May 12, when a resident stopped breathing at Bowes Lyon House, in Barnard Castle.
The pair jumped into action to give the lady CPR and revive her before emergency crews arrived.
Gillian was sorting laundry for a client and her daughter was at the other end of the complex when they heard a cry for help.
“I ran the fastest I have in a long time,” said Gillian.
“I knelt down and tried to talk to her but there was nothing and I noticed she wasn't breathing.
“There was a gentleman in a mobility scooter who rang 999 and he was relaying what the ambulance people were saying.”
The mother-of-two’s 23-year-old daughter shifted heavy pine tables out of the way to ease access and got to work helping the stricken resident.
Bethany said: “They were big pine tables which I couldn’t have moved without adrenaline – I lifted her head up to start CPR and she started to breathe.
“We did chest compressions – she came around and started to move.”
Two fire crews were on hand to help from the nearby emergency Quad Hub, in Wilson Street, before two ambulance crews arrived.
The lady who collapsed was taken to hospital and was kept in for most of last week.
The Dodds, from Evenwood, work alongside one another at Castle Care.
A critical review by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) earlier this year saw the dale firm branded “inadequate”.
But, in the wake of their lifesaving actions, the pair hit back at the verdict.
Gillian said: “I cannot fault Castle Care – you phone them up to ask for district nurses and doctors appointments and they make them straight away.
“The CQC have jumped on a few little little things and made them seem massive.”
“They see paperwork we see clients,” added Bethany.
“We are the ones that help people when their family cannot be there. Our company could not do enough for us – they are on the end of the phone 24/7.
“Tracy Elliot [firm manager] has a heart as big as the ocean and she is a mother so she understands.”
Bethany trained as a carer for three years while her mum has spent a decade in the
role.
Both said the job was tough and Gillian thought carers deserved more recognition.
She said: “It’s a hard job and we don’t get paid enough.
“It can be 7am pouring with rain or snowing and you have to see your clients – you have to be there.”
The family team carried on their duties after helping the lady, making teas for neighbouring residents and continuing their work for other clients.
She added: “To me it was just normal.
“I have just done what I am trained to do and that’s down to working for Castle Care.”
Bethany added: “We are the ones who are there if other family members have died – I have had ladies crying in my arms because they’re frightened.
“We are just carers – nurses are better than us but we are good enough to take care of your mum or your dad each and every day.”