Balhousie care group defends its policy on COVID-19

A major elderly care provider has defended its communication policy following criticism over a lack of transparency about the COVID-19 situation in its care homes in Perthshire.

Balhousie Care Group has written to those with relatives at its 22 homes across Tayside and Fife, that they will not automatically be informed if the virus is present where their loved ones are living.

The company has refused to state if there have been any COVID-19 related fatalities recorded at any of the homes it runs.

The Care Inspectorate revealed care providers are under“no statutory obligation”to notify residents or their families of an outbreak within homes.

But following criticism that Balhousie Care Group is not being transparent enough, chairman Tony Banks said:“We robustly deny any ‘lack of transparency’.

“We do, however, believe in ensuring that the right of privacy and confidentiality due to our residents and their families is fundamental to the trust they place in us.

“It is our duty to ensure those rights are respected.

“Balhousie Care Group has swiftly and diligently reported the current and ongoing COVID-19 status of residents in our care homes to all the relevant and appropriate authorities.

“When and where appropriate, we have also contacted the family of any resident affected.

“What we have tried to avoid is creating any sense of panic or disruption at our care homes.

“This has been strictly in order to protect our residents, their families and our staff (who are already working in the most stressful circumstances you can imagine).

“Creating a media frenzy is not helpful to anyone.

“The governing authorities have an accurate and frequently updated understanding of resident and staff infection levels, residents being treated, residents having been treated and any COVID-19 related deaths.

“Our behaviour has always been appropriately responsible, compliant and professional.

“Far from lacking transparency, our view is that we have done everything in our power to not only successfully manage the risk of infection in our homes but to assist in the controlled, organised and sensitive flow of all statutory information to the appropriate people and organisations.”