Forty-seven deaths linked to coronavirus at care homes in Ross-shire, figures from Crown Office indicate
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE devastating impact of Covid-19 on care homes in Ross-shire has been underlined with the release of figures showing that at least 47 deaths have been linked to the virus.
Grim statistics released by the Crown Office show that the deaths of 19 people were linked to the virus at Castle Garden Care Home in Invergordon, which is operated by HC-One. Mull Hall, near Barbaraville, operated by Sanctuary Care, lost 11 residents. Kintyre House in Invergordon, also operated by Sanctuary, lost 11 residents, while at privately-owned Fodderty House, six residents died.
Offering heartfelt sympathy to those who had lost loved ones, Ross-shire councillor Graham Mackenzie said: "One death is a death too many and my heart goes out to all who are grieving.
"I know first hand what staff have been through and I know how hard they have worked, which makes it even more difficult to take in the numbers of people who passed away" - Cllr Graham Mackenzie
"What we now need is a full review to take place. We need to find out what happened, why it happened and what can be done differently in the future.We need to do this for the relatives of those who have lost someone, but also for future peace of mind."
He said that from personal experience of family members working in care homes "I know first hand what staff have been through and I know how hard they have worked, which makes it even more difficult to take in the numbers of people who passed away".
He said: "I feel desperately sorry for the grief, not only of family and friends, but also of the care home workers who to many were friends."
Melanie Newdick, who lost her mum to Covid after taking her out of Kintyre House, said: "Mum actually had Covid–19 when she left the care home, although she had tested negative initially.She was home for two weeks and died here."
She said she felt comforted she was able to give her better care at home.
She said: "I have seen the figures for Invergordon and I think there are lots of questions in relation to this.The vaccination programme started in the earlier part of December 2020 and they did very well initially, then there was a big slow down. Whilst the overall vaccination figure may look good, it seems to me that large parts of the Highlands were somewhat behind the overall programme in the central belt. This adds a different context to the deaths in the Highlands."
A spokesperson for Sanctuary Care said while it was proud of the way staff responded to the "unprecedented challenges" posed by the pandemic, "sadly a number of residents have passed away following positive cases in some of our homes in Scotland. Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those residents who have died.
“We continue to have regular contact with the Scottish Government’s Health and Social Care Directorate, as we have throughout these difficult times, and are closely following the updated public health guidance being given to care homes right across the United Kingdom.”
HC-One said its data differs significantly from the Crown’s data.
It offered sympathy for all families that have lost a loved one from coronavirus and said caring for its residents and supporting colleagues "is at the heart of what we do". It said the past year had been an exceptionally difficult for everyone working in and connected to the social care sector.
It said it had acted with transparency publishing daily case numbers and death figures and engaged at length and in detail with health and care officials, families and the media.
It said: “We are continuing to strive to take all possible precautions to keep residents and colleagues in our Scottish homes safe and well. This includes focusing on the highest standards of infection control, utilising all opportunities to participate in testing, supporting and encouraging vaccine uptake and ensuring that homes have full access to all necessary PPE."
The Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service established a dedicated Covid-19 Deaths Investigation Team (CDIT) with staff experienced and skilled in death investigations and/or in health and safety investigations.
CDIT is working together with other agencies to ensure that appropriate investigations are undertaken by the relevant authorities in relation to these deaths.
This will also allow COPFS to make informed decisions about whether further investigation is required.
The nature and extent of the investigation that is required in relation to any particular death or group of deaths will depend on the particular circumstances.
In some cases, the investigation required might be quite limited, and in others it might be more extensive.
NHS Highland said earlier that care homes were regarded as a priority in the vaccination programme.
It worked with local health and social care colleagues, community nursing teams and general practitioners to support the affected care homes.
Covid-19 outbreaks hits Ross-shire care homes
Coronavirus and care homes one year on
More on coronavirus from the Ross-shire Journal
