NHS steps in over 'serious concerns' at Covid-19-hit care home

NHS Highland has stepped in to assist a coronavirus-hit care home after an inspection raised “serious concerns”.

Seven residents have died at Home Farm care home in Skye.

Thirty of the Portree home’s 34 residents along with 29 staff have tested positive for Covid-19.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “NHS Highland has agreed with HC One, the owner of that care home, to provide enhanced assistance by deploying additional NHS resources including social care management, nursing leadership and direct care.

“This additional support has come into effect immediately with the aim of improving and sustaining the right quality of care for the residents,” she added.

The first case detected at the end of April was the first time coronavirus had been confirmed in Skye.

Last week an unannounced inspection of Home Farm by the Care Inspectorate raised “serious concerns”.

Paul Hawkins, chief executive of NHS Highland, said: “NHS Highland has responded to the request from the Care Inspectorate and from HC-One to provide support in improving and sustaining the appropriate quality of care for residents and the necessary assistance in this difficult situation.

“We will work closely with the Care Inspectorate and HC-One senior management.”

As of Wednesday, more than 1400 deaths involving Covid-19 to date in Scotland have occurred in care homes – 45% of the total.

A total of 1438 of coronavirus-related deaths were in care homes, compared to 1537 (48%) in hospitals and 238 (7%) in home or other settings.

The proportion of fatalities in care homes has been steadily rising week-on-week from 25% in mid-April.