Residents admitted before test results

PEOPLE are being admitted to care homes before receiving the results of their coronavirus tests, Scotland’s chief nursing officer has admitted.

Last week, Nicola Sturgeon said anyone going into a care home would be tested for Covid1 , while those recovering from the virus or being moved from a hospital must have two negative tests before being admitted to the facility.

But speaking on BBC Scotland’s Politics Scotland, Professor Fiona McQueen said: ‘People admitted will have a test – they won’t necessarily have the result.’

In the week to last Sunday, there were 338 Covid-1 deaths in care homes, compared to 276 in hospitals.

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Miles Briggs said: ‘It’s concerning to find out that people are still being admitted to care homes without negative test results. That’s despite the SNP’s commitment to put residents and workers at the centre of Scotland’s testing regime.’