Scottish care home residents must not be “written off” says Age Scotland charity as coronavirus deaths rise sharply
The latest figures show that one third – 33 per cent – of all Scottish coronavirus deaths were in care homes, with 300 dying in the past week.
Age Scotland has today called for a redoubling of efforts to protect care home residents as the latest figures reveal that a total of 537 have died as a result of Covid-19.
The leading charity for older people in Scotland has reiterated calls that care homes must not be treated as second tier with more help is urgently needed to give staff and residents the protection they need.
Vulnerable residents should have fair and equal access to medical treatment, and must not be “written off” if they contract the virus.
The figures, published by the National Records of Scotland, found that 33 per cent of Covid-19 deaths occurred in care homes, a rise on last week's figure of around a quarter – 24.6 per cent – and the number of care home deaths to date has more than doubled in a week – from 237 to 537.
Deaths in hospitals were 56 per cent, 10 per cent were at home or in a non-institutional setting and, overall, almost three quarters – 74 per cent – of coronavirus deaths involved people who were aged 75 and over.
Age Scotland has said that progress has been made in recent days in terms of more access to the vital personal protective equipment (PPE) and announcements of testing for all new care home entrants.
Brian Sloan, the charity’s chief executive, said: “In the last week, we have heard about dozens of deaths in Dumbarton, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, as the virus sweeps through homes in Scotland. It must be absolutely terrifying for residents, staff and families as they wonder where the next outbreak will be.
“These are not just statistics – each one is a mother, father, grandparent, sibling or friend who will be deeply missed.
“It is so important that older people in care homes or who are receiving social care in their own home are given every opportunity to get the medical treatment they need to beat this virus and are not written off.
“Every person’s life matters and many older people have made full recoveries with the right treatment. Decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis, and any blanket policies based on a person’s age or residence would be blatant discrimination.
"We urgently need to redouble efforts to protect the most vulnerable people and ensure that care homes are not treated as a second tier. Staff on the front lines must be supported with access to all of the lifesaving equipment they need, as well as more widespread testing.”
