Care providers are calling on the government for greater clarity on key issues in the fight against Covid-19 as deaths from the virus in care homes inched higher.
The latest weekly figures from the Office for National Statistics showed the number of Covid-19 deaths in care homes across England and Wales were 38 in the seven days up to 25 September.
The rise of 38 means 15,602 people have died from Covid-19 in care homes in England and Wales up to 25 September. The latest death toll is up from 31, 27, 17 and 23 during the previous weeks.
North Yorkshire representative body Independent Care Group (ICG) said the rise in deaths comes amid confusion in the care sector over PPE, visitor guidance and infection rates.
In the past few days after the Department of Health and Social Care recommended vinyl gloves should not be used, only to retract that advice later.
“The confusion over gloves is just another example of care providers being given conflicting information at a time when we need clarity to be able to do the job of caring for those most vulnerable to Covid-19 properly,” said ICG chairman Mike Padgham (pictured).
“There is huge confusion and uncertainty over visiting. Some local authorities are saying it is OK for homes to allow visiting whilst others are advising against. In all cases it is only guidance, which puts the final decision on registered managers,” he added.
“It shouldn’t be left to managers, who are already under severe pressure, to take this decision – we have to have a clear instruction from the government, as they have with the six people limit, for example.”
The IGC has written to the government calling for a single, nominated, and tested visitor to be allowed to visit a family member in care and nursing homes.
Pagham also expressed disappointment with recent data errors that led to around 16,000 missing coronavirus cases.
“In recent days we have heard that test figures have been missed and so for all of us that creates mistrust over what the full extent of the infection rate is at the moment and what we are potentially up against,” he said.
