In a speech on April 15, Nicola Sturgeon felt compelled to assure the nation residents of care homes mattered “every bit as much” in the fight against coronavirus.
But with each passing day it is becoming increasingly clear that – while the First Minister’s statement was no doubt heartfelt – it is these frail and vulnerable citizens who are bearing the brunt of this grim pandemic.
A horrifying 25 per cent of Scottish deaths have occurred in care homes.
Berelands Care Home in Prestwick has recorded 20 deaths, while on Friday it emerged nine residents had died at Hill View care home in Clydebank.
Thirteen lives at Burlington Court in Glasgow were lost in one week following a suspected outbreak.
In part, there is an unavoidable reality at play – with advancing years comes greater susceptibility to illness and infection.
But there is growing evidence to suggest incompetence and inexplicable government policy may also be playing a part.
There is agreement among health professionals that the priority has to be to avoid Covid-19 entering these facilities.
Once in, there will be little that can be done to save the lives of many of those who inevitably become infected.
Yet today this newspaper has revealed how staff at one home in Falkirk were told they would be actively taking in hospital patients “highly likely” to be carrying the killer illness.
Newcarron Court operator Advinia Health Care informed employees a wing would have to be turned into an isolation unit to cope.
Advinia has confirmed individuals being admitted would not only be returning residents, but new arrivals too.
The Scottish Government’s claims that Covid-19 patients being discharged will have to test negative twice before being released doesn’t seem to tally with information given to Newcarron Court staff.
Scottish Tory health spokesman Miles Briggs is right that it would be “nothing short of madness” to send anyone likely to have coronavirus into a care home.
If the First Minister wants people to believe elderly residents matter as much as anyone else, there will need to be an urgent investigation and reassurances given that this type of madness is not in fact government policy.
Shop heroes go the extra mile
They are the corner shops that have kept Scotland open all hours.
The local shopkeepers who we could depend on for pasta, toilet paper and a warm welcome, even in the toughest of times.
They have put their health worries aside to stay open and go that extra mile for customers often delivering medicine or groceries and checking on their regulars.
We owe them debt of gratitude and our continued custom when this is all over.
