Cllr wants support for care home staff after losing aunt who had COVID-19

A Highland man whose aunt died after contracting COVID-19 whilst in a care home wants to ensure its staff receive continued support.

Derek Louden's great aunt, Jean Louden, passed away on January 24th at Castle Gardens care home in Invergordon after contracting coronavirus.

His cousin, and Jean's daughter, is now in intensive care with the virus after staying with her mother during her final days.

Councillor Louden says he wants to ensure the care home staff there, who have had to cope with an outbreak of the virus, are supported by Highland Council.

The Tain and Easter Ross Councillor brought up his family's story during yesterday's Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee meeting before speaking to MFR News.

He said: "My family, have been stressing that their thoughts are with the staff at Castle Gardens.

"It's a tragedy for everybody involved and it's a tragedy for the people looking after them" - Cllr Louden

"They feel very much for them, they've had a number of the residents pass away.

"I wanted to talk about the staff there and how as corporate parents the Council should be doing everything it can do to help and support them.

"I hope that's what happens in the future.

"The natural thing to do when something goes wrong, is for people to judge them or be judgemental.

"It's a tragedy for everybody involved and it's a tragedy for the people looking after them."

Cllr Louden has praised his cousin for supporting her mother and is willing for her recovery from the virus.

He added: "You'd like to think you would've done the same thing.

"What she did is exactly what you want want to do, to be there for your parent when they're facing something like this.

"I think it shows her up to be the best of us and I'm going to stick with that thought as I'm waiting for her to come home."

Earlier this week, 17 deaths were reported at Castle Gardens Care Home in Invergordon following an outbreak of COVID-19.

Operators HC-One have previously said they have been working closely with their local health partners to respond to the outbreak.

A spokesperson said: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with all families who have lost a loved one from coronavirus.

"We continue to implement our infection control measures and we have the staff, PPE and equipment needed to protect Residents and Colleagues.

"Our Residents are our absolute priority and we are doing everything we can to support them to return to good health."