Dementia Support Line
Around one in 10 care home staff 'without regular coronavirus tests' - Alzheimer's Society responds
PA reported that one in 10 care home staff say they are not receiving regular coronavirus tests, five months after a Government pledge, a survey by Unison has found.
Fiona Carragher, Director of Research and Influencing at Alzheimer’s Society, said:
'It’s hugely concerning to hear that so many care staff aren’t getting the tests they need. It’s so desperately important that the promised reunion of people with dementia and their families happens swiftly and safely, after months and months of tragedy - without regular testing, staff won’t know to self-isolate if they have the virus without symptoms.
At least 70% of care home residents have dementia, 60% of those who receive care at home - people must be able to safely receive essential care in their own homes. Testing is one of the key ways we will defeat Covid-19, along with PPE and hygiene.
'We’re begging the Government to get this right on behalf of all the terribly sad stories we hear about daily through our support line – testing just has to be properly supported for care staff, residents and their families to limit the devastation of this virus which has already claimed so many lives of people with dementia both directly and through lockdown’s enforced isolation.'
