Sturgeon’s virus test and PPE pledge for care workers
VIRUS testing for care workers will be increased, Nicola Sturgeon has said, amid reports of high vacancy rates and staff refused the checks.
The First Minister also said that the Scottish Government is “working to resolve” problems with access to protective gear in care homes.
It comes after the deaths of 16 residents at Burlington Court Care Home in Glasgow, and eight at Castleview Care Home in Dumbarton, both in suspected coronavirus outbreaks.
A home carer, Catherine Sweeney, also died at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley last Friday after battling Covid-19.
Ms Sturgeon said the Care Inspectorate had confirmed that “appropriate infection control procedures are in place” at Castleview following claims by the trade union GMB that masks had been locked away from staff and they had been told by management that they were “causing panic” by taking residents’ temperatures.
The home’s operator, HC-ONE, denied the allegations.
Ms Sturgeon said: “The Care Inspectorate will continue to provide advice and support to that home and others.
“The Scottish Government is working with the Inspectorate to understand the broad impact of Covid-19 on the sector so that we can support health and care workers as well as possible.
“Care workers are included in those key workers who should have access to testing and the Health Secretary is also looking to see how testing of care workers can
be increased as our overall capacity, including for NHS staff, is increased.
“The importance and dedication of those who work in the care sector is recognised by me and it’s recognised by government.
“Where there have been issues for example with PPE [personal protective equipment] we are working to resolve that, and as I said [on Monday] we have already distributed six million items of PPE.
“Care workers are doing a remarkable job in the most difficult of circumstances. I want to thank you but more importantly promise that we will do all we can to support you.”
It came after Scottish Care, the umbrella body for private care providers, warned that some of its members’ facilities were struggling with 40 per cent of their staff on sick leave, and 25-30% on average.
Robert Kilgour, chairman of Scottish care home operator, Renaissance Care, said care staff had been left feeling like “cannon fodder and second class carers” due to lack of virus testing and protective kit such as masks and gloves, with some deliveries diverted to the NHS instead.
Kirsty Cartin, manager of the Inchinnan Care Home in Renfrewshire, told the Herald that they were running out of PPE and had been told they could not get a fresh delivery for days despite having 15 residents in isolation with Covid-19 symptoms.
She also revealed that none of the care home’s staff had been tested for the virus despite one case where three members of the same family – all employed at the home – had to take sick leave after one member of their household developed symptoms.
The pledge to do better for social care staff came as Scotland’s confirmed coronavirus cases exceeded 4000 for the first time, with 4,229 people testing positive.
There are 1751 people in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19, including 199 people in intensive care.
A further 74 deaths were confirmed, taking the total to 296.
A report today will provide figures for the first time on “presumed” coronavirus deaths – where the victim has symptoms of the disease but no confirmed laboratory test – based on National Records of Scotland (NRS) death certificates.
Ms Sturgeon said this would provide “fuller figures on deaths in the community”.
Meanwhile, Jeane Freeman confirmed that community pharmacies have been asked to remain open on Good Friday and Easter Monday as she announced £5.5 million in extra funding to help them cope with soaring demand.
GP surgeries are also expected to open.
The Health Secretary said pharmacists’ workloads have nearly doubled since the crisis began.
The money will pay for extra working hours, prescriptions and modifications like protective screens.
Ms Freeman said: “I want to thank all community pharmacy teams for their incredible hard work throughout this pandemic.
“They are doing an invaluable job to ensure people continue to receive vital medicines and care through this period of unprecedented challenge for the NHS.
“Given the exceptional situation we are in, I have taken the unusual step of asking community pharmacies to remain open on Good Friday and Easter Monday – where it is possible to do so. This will help to alleviate some pressure from out-of-hours services.”
Pharmacists are already able to treat more people through the minor ailments service after the scheme was extended to everyone regardless of age or employment status.
However, think tank Reform Scotland has urged the Scottish Government to include the contraceptive pill in the list of items pharmacists can prescribe for free
Care workers are doing a remarkable job in the most difficult of circumstances
during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Scottish Government has encouraged couples to think carefully about whether this is the right time to have a child.
Reform Scotland’s research director Alison Payne said: “We believe this relatively simple move can both reduce pressure on primary care, and also reduce the likelihood of an increase in unplanned pregnancy.”
It comes as Glasgow’s temporary hospital at the SEC, the NHS Louisa Jordan, nears completion with 8000 pieces of medical equipment delivered.
Scotland’s chief nursing officer, Fiona Mcqueen, also praised the “compassionate care and professionalism” of the 2000 student nurses who have volunteered to work during the outbreak.
Most have started this week, with hundreds of medical students also graduating early to join the NHS.