Virus toll at probe home 4th highest
A care home exposed by the Sunday Mail for accepting “uncontrolled admissions” of
Covid patients suffered one of the country’s worst virus death rates.
The Crown Office is investigating 26 fatalities at Newcarron Court in Falkirk – the fourth highest number among 1100 facilities in Scotland.
In April, we revealed how staff had been told individuals “highly likely” to be infected with Covid would be arriving from hospitals.
Our story sparked one of the biggest scandals of the pandemic after it became clear the shocking policy was widespread and could be behind deadly outbreaks claiming hundreds of lives.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman was forced to announce rules had been changed to end the discharge of untested patients – though it continued behind the scenes.
Public Health Scotland has admitted it “cannot rule out” a link between the practice and Covid outbreaks after its report revealed 5000 patients were sent to homes between March 1 and May 31 last year.
GMB Scotland Secretary Gary Smith, who represents workers at the home’s operator Advinia, said: “The First Minister should stand at the gates of Newcarron Court and apologise to each worker as they come off shift, not only for the fact the Scottish Government sanctioned the neglect of their safety and wellbeing, but for having the audacity to applaud our carers’ work while knowingly undermining it.”
The Crown Office and Police Scotland are to investigate care home deaths as part of Operation Koper and there have been calls for Government ministers to be interviewed as part of the probe.
A spokesman for Advinia said: “In the first months of the pandemic, comparatively little was known regarding the asymptomatic nature of the spread of the disease and we did not have access to today’s robust testing system.
“Despite these challenges, we did answer the urgent call to support NHS Scotland to make beds available for discharged patients.”
A Government spokeswoman said: “Saving people’s lives has been and continues to be the priority of the Scottish Government throughout.”