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Kits will let care home visitors see loved ones

FAMILIES could soon be able to hug their loved ones again thanks to a new programme of ‘rapid’ Covid-19 tests being trialled in Scotland’s care homes.

From tomorrow, a pilot project will begin in 14 homes that could mean relatives are finally allowed a face-to-face visit with a care home resident – and even the chance to cuddle and hold hands.

Visitors will be able to take a rapid ‘lateral flow’ test as they arrive at the home – which will reveal within half an hour whether or not they have coronavirus.

If the test comes back negative, then visitors will be allowed to go inside the nursing homes to meet their loved ones.

The testing programme finally offers a glimmer of hope to thousands of relatives who have been so cruelly kept apart by the past nine months of restrictions.

Since the start of the outbreak, 42

‘This is a positive step for residents and families’

per cent of Covid deaths in Scotland have been in care homes.

As of December 2, 128 adult care homes – 12 per cent of the total – had a current case of the virus.

Care homes in Ayrshire, Fife, Argyll, Renfrewshire and Aberdeenshire will be the first to pilot the new rapid tests.

If successful, they will be rolled out across the country. Kits will be sent to all Scottish care homes from December 14 once guidance and training for the scheme have been developed.

If a care home does not source the rapid test, visitors may still be able to visit if they undergo more traditional, slower versions at a testing centre.

However, the pilot scheme, announced yesterday, will not automatically allow all care home visits. Those in the areas under the toughest restrictions, Level 4, will still not be able to offer indoor visits for fear of spreading the virus.

Nor will the tests enable groups to enter homes – only residents’ designated visitors will be permitted to go inside, and as long as it is Covid-free.

Because the rollout of the rapid testing programme across more than 800 care homes in Scotland will take time, there are still no guarantees that residents of every home will be able to hug their relatives by Christmas.

However, the testing scheme was broadly welcomed by families kept apart from loved ones.

Yesterday, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: ‘This is a positive step for care homes, residents and their families and friends, that will provide another important layer of protection against Covid, alongside the essential PPE and infection prevention and control measures already in place. I’m very pleased to say we will be able to significantly accelerate the delivery of testing kits to all cares homes from December 14, following the necessary trial phase to ensure we have the right guidance and training in place.’

Scottish Government guidance for the festive season encourages visitors to be tested.

If restrictions allow, indoor visits can take place – although a risk assessment has to be signed off by public health experts in advance.

There are claims that in some areas of the country these have not yet been approved.

Homes in Level 4 areas are restricted to outdoor or ‘essential’ visits, even over Christmas.

The easing of restrictions between December 23 and 27 does not apply to care homes.