Designated care home sought for residents who have coronavirus
A DESIGNATED Leicestershire care home will accept Covid-positive residents in an attempt to prevent the outbreaks and devastation seen in the settings earlier in the pandemic.
Leicestershire County Council is working with health partners to identify a setting that will take in and care for people who have tested positive for coronavirus, but are well enough to be discharged from hospitals.
It is part of a plan to free up beds in the event of another spike in hospital admissions.
Sandy McMillan, assistant director of adults and communities, told members of the county council’s cabinet at its last meeting: “The Department of Health has now said that those people being discharged from hospital will need to go to a designated setting, previously those people could be discharged to any care home.
“They can now only be discharged to a designated setting that’s able to provide the levels of infection control and isolation that is required to keep the patient and other people safe.
“We need to have that designated setting in place as soon as possible so that people are not stuck in hospital unable to be discharged.” Earlier in the pandemic, it was revealed that more than 500 patients were discharged to care homes without a coronavirus test.
A total of 242 Covid-19-related deaths have been notified to the
Care Quality Commission by care homes between April 10 and October 30.
Councillor Richard Blunt, cabinet member for adult social care, told members: “It’s crucial to have a plan not just so that we can unlock the funds we need to provide it, but ahead of the second wave of Covid19.
“We don’t know what’s coming, but we do know it isn’t going to be easy.
“In my mind, we’re looking at where we will be in May next year and we’ll still be somewhere like we are now, I think.”
When asked which home had been chosen to take care of the Covid-positive people, Coun Blunt added: “We are complying with the government request and we’re working with the private care sector to identify suitable locations.
“We expect to have access to designated care beds confirmed shortly.
“We are committed to supporting this sector as much as we can during these difficult times.”
We need to have that designated setting in place as soon as possible so that people are not stuck in hospital unable to be discharged.