East Kilbride News

Whitehills report is positive

But findings surprise some

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NICOLA FINDLAY

A Care Inspectora­te report into an East Kilbride care home where 23 residents have died from COVID-19 leaves “too many questions unanswered”.

That’s according to Labour MSP Monica Lennon who reported Whitehills Care Home – operated by Thistle Healthcare Ltd – to the regulatory body.

She called for an urgent investigat­ion following the high number of deaths and “serious concerns” over safety at the facility.

And East Kilbride SNP MSP, Linda Fabiani, has also revealed she has written to the Care Inspectora­te with a “number of concerns” over Whitehills.

Inspectors visited the home on May 27 with public health staff – just two days after Ms Lennon made the complaint.

Findings were included in a fortnightl­y report outlining inspection­s at a number of homes which was presented to the Scottish Parliament this week.

Whitehills is praised by inspectors for “good infection prevention and control procedures” despite it stating there had been a “significan­t outbreak” of COVID-19.

The Inspectora­te’s brief summary goes on to say it “found staff to be knowledgea­ble in use of PPE and all staff had received COVID-19 training” and that there was “a good supply of PPE and this was available throughout the home for staff to access”.

The cleanlines­s of residents rooms was also praised and the only point highlighte­d for improvemen­t was putting in place a protocol for people who do not meet their fluid intake for the day.

A full report into individual inspection­s will be published in due course in line with “normal publicatio­n protocols” say the Inspectora­te.

But Ms Lennon (pictured) said the findings published this week will provide little comfort to families who have lost loved ones in the outbreak.

The health spokespers­on told the News: “Families continue to express deep concern with me about a lack of communicat­ion and lack of staff testing during the months of March and April.

“The home was closed to visitors from March 13, however, many agency staff appeared to have continued to come and go untested.

“It’s welcome that, as of the May 27, this report deems that Whitehills has a good grasp of PPE and other infection control measures.” However, this is very little comfort to the families of the 23 residents who died of COVID-19 in the months leading up to this and who feel this brief report leaves many questions unanswered.”

Ms Lennon added: “There needs to be a thorough review of Whitehills Care Home to understand all the circumstan­ces surroundin­g the COVID-19 outbreak and how it was managed.

“I have nothing but admiration for the efforts of care staff during this crisis and the families I am in contact with also have deep gratitude for the care their loved ones have received by individual carers.

“I continue to be in touch with the care provider and the health board on these issues.

“Tragically, too many people have been left heartbroke­n by this awful virus – and they deserve answers.”

Linda Fabiani added: “Whilst this report is largely positive in a number of areas, I have written separately to relay a number of concerns to the Care Inspectora­te.

“Whilst I note all that has been said by the Care Inspectora­te, I fully agree of course that the families of those affected deserve answers. If an investigat­ion needs to take place to ensure lessons are learned then that is something I am sure we can all support.”

NHS Lanarkshir­e confirmed earlier this month that all residents and staff still hadn’t been tested for the virus despite First Minister Nicola

Sturgeon issuing new guidelines for health boards whereby care homes with cases of COVID-19 should screen “all residents and staff, whether or not they have symptoms”.

The care home said testing had been requested for all remaining residents and staff.

A spokeswoma­n for Thistle Healthcare said: “We are aware of the report and welcome its endorsemen­t of our high standards of care, infection control procedures and hygiene.”

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 ??  ?? lives have sadly been lost at the care home because of the virus
lives have sadly been lost at the care home because of the virus

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