Anger as inspectors allowed into care homes without test

CARE home owners have criticised the “arrogant” watchdog for permitting its inspectors to visit without having undergone a Covid-19 test.

The decision – which has the backing of the Government – has been met with anger from owners struggling to prevent more deaths from the virus.

Thousands of people died in care homes in the spring due to a string of official failings to protect residents.

However, care home managers claim that inspectors from the Care Quality Commission are going from home to home carrying out hundreds of inspections and putting the vulnerable at risk.

The majority of homes are refusing to allow anyone in unless they are Covid19-negative. Even relatives who have been tested are still being barred from some. Yet CQC inspectors are deemed not to pose a risk if they wear a mask.

The decision was made in August and backed by the Department of Health but without consultation with care homes.

Nadra Ahmed of the National Care Homes Association said: “This situation beggars belief. The Government promised to put a ring of steel round care homes at the start of the pandemic and failed. Now it appears we are being let down again.”