Failing care homes must be brought up to standard

THE greatest failure in the Scottish Government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic is surely the decision taken to send infected elderly people from hospitals to care homes.

This baffling action meant coronavirus quickly spread among some of the most vulnerable Scots. Many deaths can be attributed to this reckless decision.

But, as we reveal today, it is not just the Government that has let elderly people down. Many care homes are not living up to their serious responsibilities.

Nearly a third of inspections in the past three months have identified significant concerns. In the worst homes, dirty mattresses and badly washed clothes have been identified as infection risks.

Of course, even if the world was not experiencing a pandemic, these findings would be shocking. Families which entrust the care of elderly relatives to those working in residential facilities are entitled to expect that they will be treated with dignity and respect, and that their health will not be compromised by failings in basic hygiene standards.

Of 72 recent inspections, 24 homes were found to need immediate improvements. In the most shocking case, a home which had a wave of deaths earlier in the pandemic was found to still be failing to provide acceptable standards of care.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman hardly inspires confidence that she is best placed to address ongoing faults. But she must look into this latest scandal with the utmost urgency.

Care home operators must be left in no doubt that they are expected to meet the highest standards of hygiene. Those that fail should face serious consequences.