Health Secretary brands alleged lack of testing at Dumbarton care home 'shameful'
But West Dunbartonshire Council has rejected claims made by Labour MSP Jackie Baillie
An alleged failure to test residents in a Dumbarton care home has been described as “shameful and unacceptable” by the Health Secretary.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Labour deputy leader and Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie asked Jeane Freeman to intervene in the case of Crosslet Nursing Home in her constituency.
On Monday, it was revealed admissions to the home have been ceased by West Dunbartonshire Council after it was discovered 15 residents were found to have died in the past month - a figure Ms Baillie said had risen to 16 on Monday.
Visibly emotional, Ms Baillie accused the local authority of “giving the impression to families that they are testing residents”.
She added: “But they haven't tested a single resident, not one, they're not even being accountable to their local councillors, who are being refused information.
“Will the Cabinet Secretary instruct an urgent investigation and tell West Dunbartonshire Council that they must test their care home residents and not allow older people to be treated as second-class citizens?”
Ms Baillie added two GPs diagnosed residents and staff with Covid-19.
In response, the Health Secretary said: “What Ms Baillie has just outlined is utterly shameful and completely unacceptable.
“What I will do is this afternoon ask the relevant director of public health to immediately take steps to look at what's happening in that care home to make sure residents are tested who are symptomatic and to advise me on what additional steps they think should be taken now with that particular care home.”
But West Dunbartonshire Council has hit back at the claims made by Ms Baillie.
In a statement the local authority said: “We are deeply disappointed to see these claims being made at a time when our dedicated team of carers at Crosslet House is working round the clock to provide essential care and support to residents. We can completely reject Ms Baillie’s allegation that care home managers have advised family members that our home is Covid free. In addition, as MSPs will be aware, decisions on testing are taken by and based on the judgement of health professionals – not care home staff, or even Councils.
“We have been in regular contact with Public Health clinicians throughout April and continue to adhere to their advice in relation to our Care Homes. Our procedures are thorough and aim to safeguard and support residents and our employees as best as possible during this exceptionally challenging time, including the observation of social distancing, fully equipping staff with PPE and providing staff testing.”
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