Care homes test delays are ‘cruel waiting game’

Operators say hold-ups an ‘unacceptable’ risk to the lives of staff and residents

Care home operators say they are in a “cruel waiting game”, with testing delays risking staff and residents after the return of schools provoked a surge in the number of children being tested.

Robert Kilgour, from Kirkcaldy, who operates the family-run Renaissance Care group of 15 homes, said the return of schools has meant results have not been ready for up to six days.

He said: “The situation is at times frustrating beyond belief when we are trying our best to keep everyone safe.

“It took months for the Scottish Government to finally get the once-aweek testing in place for our 1,100 staff, and we were getting results back within 48 hours, which was acceptable.

“However, the moment they allowed schools to re-open, we’ve been beset with problems about trying to get test results back in time so we can keep everyone safe – and suddenly it’s taking up to six days. We discovered that 7% of our staff were asymptomatic but tested positive, which is why it’s so vitally important they are tested once a week and the results get back quickly.”

In May, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman committed to weekly testing of all 50,000 care home staff in Scotland but that target has repeatedly been missed.

Official figures show that in the past two weeks almost 478 care-home staff and 119 residents were confirmed to have the virus.

One of Scotland’s biggest operators, Perth-based Balhousie, which runs 26 homes, said 846 staff were tested but it had only received six results by Friday.

Tony Banks, chairman of Balhousie Care Group, said: “Between Monday and Friday we had 846 staff members tested, and by the end of Friday only six results had been returned.

“That’s a cruel waiting game to play on anyone, and it’s unacceptable. Our staff are anxious, our managers are in the dark and our residents are at risk of being exposed to asymptomatic staff.

“We want an assurance from the government that efficient weekly testing and results are given urgent priority. The lives of society’s most vulnerable depend on it.”

Gary Smith, leader of the GMB union in Scotland, which represents care home staff, said: “This is a shameful reflection of how these key workers are valued.”

Dr Donald Macaskill, chief executive of care homes umbrella body Scottish Care, said: “It is important all of us consider carefully whether a child requires a test in line with recommended guidance.”

A leaked letter to care homes from the interim deputy director of the government department responsible for testing blamed a backlog at the UK Government-funded Lighthouse Laboratory in Glasgow. Tracy Slater said it could take weeks to sort out.

On Thursday, Nicola Sturgeon said a Public Health Scotland review is under way.

On delays in getting test results back to care home staff, the Scottish Government said: “We are aware of a significant increase in demand for testing this week and are implementing contingency plans to increase capacity.”

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Alex Cole-hamilton said the Scottish Government should increase its testing capacity and prioritise care home staff.

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Donald Cameron said: “More lives will be lost if the virus is allowed to rip through care homes once again.”

Renaissance Care chairman Robert Kilgour says the return of schools has meant test results have not been ready for up to six days.

Picture: Perthshire Picture Agency. Tony Banks, founder and chairman of Balhousie Care Group.