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Freeman: Social care well equipped for second spike |
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Image courtesy of the Scottish Parliament
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman giving evidence to the covid-19 committee
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Scotland’s Health Secretary has said she believes social care is in a “much better place” now to deal with any significant rise in covid-19 cases later this year.
Speaking to the Scottish Parliament’s covid-19 committee yesterday, Jeane Freeman said that as the country moves through the first phase of the virus, lessons are being learnt that mean social care “is in a much better place” to deal with a rise in case numbers.
Many public health experts warn that as the winter approaches covid cases could rise again, stretching health and social care services once more.
The Health Secretary’s comments were made on the same day as the findings from a BBC Disclosure investigation into care homes during the pandemic were released.
The BBC found 30 red and 149 amber alerts related to staffing levels were sent from care homes to the national watchdog during the height of the pandemic. A red warning signifies a provider does not have enough workers to meet residents’ needs.
MSPs were told during the committee meeting that improvements to PPE supply lines, the creation and retention of a pool of returning social care staff, and the development of the national test and protect system were part of a number of steps that meant the sector was now well equipped for any resurgence of covid-19.
healthandcare.scot reported earlier in July that a recruitment portal set up to get former care workers to return to the sector during the covid crisis led to fewer than 50 people being employed.
The concerns of trade unions about “widespread” poor working practices in social care were also raised by MSPs during the committee meeting.
More people have died in Scotland’s care homes after contracting the virus than in its hospitals, with covid-19 mentioned on the death certificates of nearly 1,900 people who were care home residents.
Earlier this month the Scottish Human Rights Commission urged the Government to investigate whether the human rights of people in care homes were breached in the handling of covid-19.
A formal public inquiry into ‘every aspect’ of the covid crisis was promised by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on the 27th May.
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