Coronavirus diary, Saturday 4 July

Care homes have been making news - mostly bad news - for months with coronavirus responsible for a horrifying death toll. 

But at last a dire situation that has shocked the nation is under control. 

Now the care home service, or business, which has suffered through no fault of its own, has to rebuild its confidence and its reputation; to convince people that it is a safe haven for the elderly. It won't be easy but for more than a hundred years it has never been easy.

Dinner at St Marylebone Workhouse, London

At the end of the 19th century the much maligned workhouse was a last refuge for the poor and the elderly, but hopes were raised in 1908 when a Royal Commission condemned them as unsuitable, and recommended the setting up of 'a specialist institution for each class of pauper, treated by trained staff'.

Although local authorities were given the power in 1929 to take over workhouse infirmaries, few did.

Workhouses, renamed, just as coldly, public assistance institutions. controlled by county councils, did not finally disappear until the National Assistance Act of 1948 when the buildings were converted to 'old people's homes'.

The number of care homes increased steadily over the years but so did the problems, with scandals and concern over the quality of care. Even worse, the financial situation affected both private and local government care homes, dozens going bust year by year.

When coronavirus struck, the system found it difficult to cope.
Now it is fighting back.

Sunrise is mounting a 'Celebrate the Care Home' campaign to counter negative media coverage and convince the public it is ready for the new challenge; 'to show people what  we are really like'.

Residents have been asked to help by telling our experience of how we have been looked after - cared for. I certainly will.

Sunrise Cardiff has handled these difficult months brilliantly, keeping us, and making us feel, safe. They have been honest and kept us up to date.

Perfect public relations.