Alzheimer's Society responds to joint statement from DHSC and CQC on the number of COVID-19 deaths in care homes

Alzheimer’s Society responds to the joint statement by the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Care Quality Commission (CQC), in which they anticipate ‘that the number of deaths in care homes relating to COVID-19 reported by providers between 11 April and 15 April could be double the number of care home deaths reported yesterday.’

Sally Copley, Director of Policy, Campaigns and Partnerships at Alzheimer’s Society, said:

'The true impact of the coronavirus in care homes is becoming increasingly clear, and that’s why we’re demanding swift Government action. With the further report today of a possible 2000 deaths just over Easter weekend, this is a frightening time for everyone with relatives with dementia in care homes.

People with dementia’s lives matter, and every death is a terrible loss to a grieving family.

'We hear daily from desperately concerned families who want to know that the Government is doing all it can to keep people in care homes safe, and it is good to hear that the CQC is actively booking testing appointments for care staff. Testing needs to be made far more accessible - we've heard of care home workers told to travel from Cornwall to Plymouth and from Norfolk to Stansted for this.

'The Government urgently needs to make up for lost time to put in place effective measures now which will ensure we’re fully aware of the scale of the challenge, cut the number of deaths and ultimately keep people with dementia safe.'