Testing ‘too late’ at care home badly hit by virus

Claims facility with one of the highest death tolls in Scotland not prioritised early enough

A Tayside care home with one of the highest death tolls in Scotland was not prioritised for testing until it was “too late”, it has been claimed.

Monifieth’s South Grange Nursing Home has seen at least 18 residents pass away since the virus took hold in early April. Nine tested positive for Covid-19.

However, full testing of residents and staff only took place on June 5 and revealed there are still a “handful of cases”, according to owners Barchester.

NHS Tayside say the home was not initially prioritised because the guidance issued in May stated those with new or recent outbreaks should be given testing first.

Barchester say individual testing for those with symptoms began early in the pandemic, adding it is “fully committed” to continued testing.

One woman, whose mother died at South Grange at the end of April and whose stepfather is still a resident, said the slow response means cases have probably been missed.

She said: “It should have been one of the first to have full staff testing, especially as we know there is capacity to do such tests now.

“One would hope staff will now get tested weekly as it is crucial if asymptomatic staff, who are potentially carriers, are to be picked up.

“I, like other family members across Scotland, would welcome routine testing as promised by the first minister.”

NHS Tayside previously stated homes should be tested within 72 hours of an outbreak being reported but has struggled with capacity.

It was revealed last week only four Tayside homes had received full testing with South Grange among a further six believed to have been tested since.

Staff at every home subject to testing should then be given weekly swabs to keep the outbreak under control but this is also still to be implemented.

With similar issues elsewhere in Scotland, Health Minister Jeane Freeman has since demanded all health boards publish detailed weekly updates on testing and cases.

Barchester have not publicly disclosed how many deaths at South Grange are suspected to be linked to Covid-19.

However, a care worker at the home confirmed she was tested on Friday but said the facility has already been devastated by the virus.

“It should have happened before so many residents died,” she said.

“It is very sad and seems too late to drive the testing of people now.

“The companies should have done more, after all, they are happy to take money from residents to look after them. I don’t feel proud to be working in care any more.”

The home provides 24-hour residential and nursing care for a maximum of 65 older people and rehabilitation, respite and long-term care for a maximum of 20 people with physical and sensory impairment in a separate unit, the Seven Arches.

It is understood the home was not at full capacity when the virus hit.

A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said: “Our public health team has confirmed that a total of 18 deaths have been reported at South Grange care home during this period, with nine having tested positive for Covid-19.

“The home was reported as having an outbreak of confirmed Covid-19 on April 7 and, in line with the policy at that time, everyone who had symptoms was tested.

“All staff and residents reporting symptoms since then have also been offered testing promptly.

“South Care Grange Home was not initially prioritised for enhanced testing of all staff and residents when updated guidance was issued in May as this stated that care homes with new or recent outbreaks should be prioritised.

“Arrangements remain in place so that any new report of an outbreak of confirmed Covid-19 in a care home will trigger testing by the NHS Tayside team for all staff and residents (including in any linked homes) within 72 hours.

“NHS Tayside is working to put in place arrangements in line with the Scottish Government policy around offering weekly testing. Like all care homes South Grange will be offering testing.”

A spokesperson for Barchester said: “We have been working closely with the local health board regarding testing with whole home testing at South Grange being completed on June 5 and has shown there are a handful of positive cases at the home. Prior to this we began testing as early as April 6 on anyone showing symptoms.

“We are fully committed to testing going forward as we believe this will support us in protecting our residents and staff.

“All of our staff are trained in infection control and have been brilliant in implementing this from the early stages of this pandemic.

“Thanks to the team’s efforts there have been many recoveries at the home and we are confident that the right protocols will continue to be followed to keep everyone as safe and well as possible.”

Picture: Gareth Jennings. Eighteen deaths have been reported at South Grange in Monifieth.