Staff to be screened twice daily as part of raft of new measures

NURSING home staff will be screened twice a day and forbidden from working across multiple facilities as part of new measures announced yesterday.

The steps – which have been welcomed by the sector – are designed to counter a four-fold rise in coronavirus clusters in nursing homes this week.

Health Minister simon Harris also announced a financial package for individual homes aimed at supporting them in the battle against Covid19.

‘Our goal in these challenging times is to protect our older people, wherever they are living,’ he said.

‘We must also support staff working in nursing homes and ensure their safety and health as we continue to deal with this pandemic.’

The measures mean testing will now be prioritised for nursing home staff, access will be provided to personal protective equipment (PPE) and the HSE will provide expert advice and training.

Financial supports to homes will see operators paid €800 extra per month for every resident they have on the Fair Deal scheme, up to a limit of 40 residents with a reducing scale applied after that number.

Homes struck down with coronavirus can also claim up to €75,000 for any extra expenses they incur fighting an outbreak.

Although criticised by some as overdue, the steps were last night widely welcomed.

‘Our oldest people have provided great service to our country and our nursing homes are doing everything possible to appropriately support them during the biggest societal challenge we have faced,’ said Nursing Homes ireland CEO Tadgh Daly.

‘it is welcome that the focus has shifted to nursing homes now, where our most vulnerable are living.