Care home staff across Falkirk district will be tested for virus

NHS Forth Valley insists that residents in local care homes have access to the same high standard of care and treatment as anyone else – and say they are working with care homes to get staff tested.
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Fears have been raised across the country when figures revealed that nearly half of all Scottish care homes – 433 out of 1000 – had reported at least one case of coronavirus as of April 12.

The latest weekly report from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) registered a total of 962 fatalities with Covid-19 mentioned in the death certificate – with nearly a quarter of the deaths taking place in care homes.

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A spokesperson for the NHS in the Forth Valley area said care for elderly residents was not falling short – and that testing was being delivered more quickly in this area than many others.

NHS Forth Valley says it is working with care homes to get staff tested for coronavirusNHS Forth Valley says it is working with care homes to get staff tested for coronavirus
NHS Forth Valley says it is working with care homes to get staff tested for coronavirus

She said: “Residents in care homes have access to the same high standard of care and treatment and anyone who needs to be admitted to hospital for treatment will continue to do so.

“We also have a dedicated care home team which provides outreach services and support to local care homes across Forth Valley.“NHS Forth Valley has been testing frontline health, social care, care home and emergency service staff as well as patients who have been admitted to hospital.

“We have also increased our testing capacity and are proactively working with all local care homes to organise testing for care home residents, where appropriate.

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“In addition, our Public Health Team is providing infection control advice and support to local care staff to help prevent the spread of infection.”Falkirk Council said they could not comment on any coronavirus-related deaths in any of its care homes, but insisted they are doing everything they can to support loved ones.

Patricia Cassidy, Chief Officer for the Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Sadly, the death of anyone in a care environment is upsetting and distressing.

“We are obviously sensitive to the current circumstances and understand that many families who have relatives in care homes both privately run and operated by Falkirk Council will have concerns.

“However, we are doing everything we can to support families and their loved ones right now and we have put in place measures to ensure everyone’s safety

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“In order to respect the dignity and wishes of families, we are not in a position to comment or speculate on the cause of death in any individual circumstances. We sincerely hope the public understands this position in these difficult and distressing times.”

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