MARY We are facing a care home crisis
BY WEST SCOTLAND MSP MARY FEE
Scottish Government figures released last week show that more than four-in-ten care homes have reported a suspected coronavirus case.
This is despite only 1.7 per cent of social care staff having been tested for the virus.
We are, of course, living in a very difficult time and the unprecedented situation has placed many services and sectors under severe hardships.
However, more can be done to support the social care sector by testing more staff and providing more PPE.
Families with a loved one in a care home will rightly be concerned as the virus can have severe and, sadly, fatal implications for the elderly and sick.
Figures showing that over 40 per cent of care homes have reported a suspected coronavirus case is not surprising news.
Trade unions have labelled the impact of coronavirus in care homes as a “crisis within a crisis”.
Despite the new four-point plan announced by the Scottish Government, the proposals fall far short of action required as they do not set out that increased testing can be carried out.
It is clear that more social care staff should be tested to protect them, their families and the residents in care homes.
Again, we find the lack of testing problematic in the fight against coronavirus.
This has been obvious since the outset and against advice from the World Health Organisation.
Many countries who have been better at containing the virus have done so because they have a higher rate of testing.
Scotland and the UK have shown to be woefully unprepared to test, where others have shown it is possible in these trying times.
A few months into this battle, we still don’t fully know what we are fighting, nor do we know what life will be like when this great challenge has been overcome.
We do know that those working in the NHS and social care sectors are putting their very lives at risk in treating those with coronavirus.
What we do not know, sadly, is the toll that these months will have on the mental health of many, from those shielding to NHS and social care workers.
Mental health, an almost invisible enemy, has become a higher priority in government and civic society around the world over the last ten to 15 years.
After this crisis has concluded, whenever that may be, we must be more cautious in our approach to the forthcoming mental health crisis that will undoubtedly follow in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
Government - both national and local - must start planning for increased demand in mental health services now.
Finally, stay home and stay safe. My office phone number is 0141 889 4828 for anyone who is seeking assistance.