Staff and patients at St Vincent’s Hospice have tested positive for Covid-19 following an outbreak at its Howwood base.
The hospice, which provides end of life care for people across Renfrewshire, said that a member of staff had tested positive for the virus on October 30.
A number of other staff and two patients have since also been diagnosed with the disease.
The hospice has temporarily suspended new admissions to the inpatient unit, but work to support people in their own homes continues.
The devastating news comes just one week after the hospice confirmed it was in financial difficulty.
Eunice Muir, interim CEO at St Vincent’s Hospice, told the Express: “As this Covid-19 pandemic continues, St Vincent’s Hospice has found itself in the same position as many health and social care organisations around the country.
“Despite having strict policies on infection control and the use of personal protective equipment, in line with Scottish Government and NHSGGC guidelines, on October 30, the hospice was notified that a member of staff had tested positive for Covid-19.
“Since then a number of other staff and two patients have also tested positive.
“Open and transparent communication with all those affected or potentially affected, including patients and their families, has continued on a daily basis.”
The hospice has been working closely with public health officials at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde following the outbreak, with the authorities satisfied with the infection control measures in place at the Old Howwood Road venue.
An additional deep clean is also being carried out within the inpatient unit.
Ms Muir added: “As a hospice, we would like to take this opportunity to express our regret for the inevitable uncertainty and distress that a situation like this can cause. We would also like to further assure our patients, families, staff, volunteers and local community, that we take our responsibility to provide a safe and secure environment for everyone who comes into our building very seriously, and we will be looking closely to see if there are any lessons that could be learned for the future.”
The covid crisis comes at what is already a difficult time for the hospice.
The Express reported last week how some of the 64-strong staff may be let go before Christmas as management try to plug a gaping financial chasm.
Kate Lennon, who had been chief executive at St Vincent’s also quit at short notice after seven years in the job.
Ms Muir said efforts were underway to save as many posts as possible, with a restructure expected to save £400,000.
It costs more than £6,000 per day to run services at the hospice.
Traditionally, more than 50 per cent of the annual budget of £2.6 million came from voluntary donations, but income has plunged by 15 per cent as a result of the pandemic.
