Coronavirus / Covid-19 related deaths in Wastview care home confirmed
THE CARE Inspectorate has confirmed that at least two elderly residents have died as a result of suspected Covid-19 cases in a council-run care home in Shetland.
Over recent days local people at Shetland’s Westside have voiced unease over the lack of information available with regards to the high number of deaths over a relatively short timespan at the Wastview care home in Walls.
Shetland Islands Council (SIC) was approached for comment on Friday but chief executive Maggie Sandison said the local authority could not comment as it would never disclose personal data, although Shetland News never asked for – and would never request – personal data.
Last week the SIC confirmed that there were 19 care clients across Shetland showing coronavirus symptoms, although this figure has fluctuated.
On bank holiday Monday, the SIC re-confirmed that they would never discuss information that would identify individuals.
However, the Dundee-based Care Inspectorate, which oversees and regulates the care sector in Scotland, confirmed that they had been notified of the circumstances, but added that the agency would not confirm numbers.
A spokeswoman for the inspectorate told Shetland News: “We are aware of the tragic deaths of residents at this care home as a result of suspected cases of Covid-19.
“Our thoughts are with the loved ones of those affected as well as the staff and wider community of the home.
“We have been notified of the circumstances and we are in contact with the care service and the local health and social care partnership during this difficult time.
“All of Scotland’s social care sector is working under very difficult circumstances to care for people during the pandemic and the Care Inspectorate is doing all it can to support them.”
The Wastview care home is one of seven council run care homes in Shetland. It can provide residential care for up to 15 people.
During her daily press briefing in Edinburgh on Monday, first minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed again that from later this week the Scottish Government would publish “full and robust” information about Covid-19 cases in care homes in Scotland.
On Wednesday National Records of Scotland will publish all registered deaths from Covid-19, and that will also include deaths from suspected coronavirus cases.
These figures will also be broken down by the location of someone’s death. They will show whether an individual passes away in hospital, in a care home, at home or at another location.
Sturgeon added: “There are particular concerns about people in care homes. I want to give a very strong assurance, firstly that we are working hard with the care Inspectorate to provide appropriate support for care homes, their staff and their residents.
“Secondly, we are working hard to ensure that we can publish full and robust information about number of cases in care homes which we hope to do later this week.”
Care workers have often been regarded as unsung heroes during the coronavirus crisis, supporting some of the most vulnerable on the frontline.
In reference to the weekly round of applause for frontline staff, Shetland Islands Council convener Malcolm Bell recently took to Twitter to express his gratitude for their work.
“Amongst the deserved applause, spare a thought for our carers and other front-line council staff, all of whom are working hard to assist the NHS cope through this crisis,” he wrote.
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston also said that “our care workers are doing a fantastic job in extremely challenging circumstances”.
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