Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
HOME’S PARTY PROBED
Cops called following bash at care facility three days after lockdown
A PARTY in a care home during lockdown was reported to the PSNI after an anonymous tip-off to health watchdogs.
At least 13 people were at the babyshower in the Co Antrim facility on March 25 – three days after lockdown.
The Mirror has seen photos of the bash at Glenabbey Care Home which show no revellers were wearing PPE.
Martin Mckeown, whose resident mother-in-law contracted Covid-19, said: “Given the warnings we’d had over
FROM PAGE ONE the previous month about coronavirus, I was very concerned for my mother-in-law, residents and staff.
“I drove up to the home at 2pm and I could see clearly into the reception area and the manager’s office.
“I was shocked to see it was full of people, with at least one person sitting on the windowsill.
“There were no cases of the virus confirmed in the home at that stage and I assumed staff would have been doing everything in their power to diminish the risk of infection.
“I was upset that as a family we were doing everything to keep well including moving my father-in-law, who’s 83, into our home and strictly isolating him. It was tough on him.
“I expected a professional care provider to take every measure to prevent any risk of infection spread and keep my mother-in-law safe from the virus. I was shocked.
“I remained very concerned about the situation but didn’t take any further action.
“Within three weeks a number of staff and residents were showing symptoms.
“I know one carer starting showing symptoms on April 12 and tested positive on April 14.
“On April 16 many of the residents were tested and my mother-in-law tested positive.
“Today the official figures on deaths from Covid-19 of Glenabbey Care Home residents is 14 according to Runwood Homes. Thankfully my mother-in-law recovered from the virus but 14 others have not.”
On May 19, the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority, the agency responsible for inspecting the availability and quality of Northern Ireland’s care homes, was tipped off about the party.
It responded by contacting Runwood Homes, which manages the facility, and the local health trust.
The RQIA inspectors reported the matter to the PSNI.
The RQIA confirmed there had been no instances of Covid-19 infection in the home at the time of the party and Runwood confirmed 14 residents have died of the virus.
A spokesperson said: “We received anonymous information in relation to this issue. We discussed our concerns with the management of the home and with the local Health and Social Care Trust, and RQIA reported this matter to the PSNI.
“Prior to the pandemic period, in mid-march, Department of Health guidance was issued to all care homes which included clear direction on restrictions on visitors.
“There was no outbreak of Covid-19 at the home at that time.”
Runwood Homes stated there is “no known correlation between this incident and an outbreak at the home” but would not be drawn on their conclusion.
A spokesman said: “We can confirm a full and robust multi-agency investigation took place, regarding a small gathering of staff in the reception area at the home to present a colleague with a gift.
“To provide assurances, nobody went beyond the open reception at any time and no residents were present.
“Additionally, this area is considered a green zone of the service in relation to PPE.”
Runwood Homes added they are “confident” Glenabbey Care Home is now “clear of the virus”.
A PSNI spokeswoman said its officers did follow-up the report.
She added: “During a meeting arranged in May with the RQIA to discuss general issues relevant to care establishments during the Covid-19 pandemic, an incident in respect of a care home in Newtownabbey was reviewed.
“This related to a complaint made with regard to a gathering on March 25 in the reception area.
“Following discussion with the regulator, it was deemed the incident did not meet the threshold for a criminal investigation.
“The PSNI also noted the regulator was in discussion with the Health Trust in respect of the matter.
“The care and protection of older persons is a responsibility that we take very seriously.
“We are aware of concerns raised in relation to various nursing homes during the Covid-19 health crisis and continue to work in partnership with social services and the RQIA.”