Alzheimer's Society responds to ONS data showing quarter of coronavirus deaths in England are coming from care homes

Since the outbreak of coronavirus in the UK Alzheimer’s Society have been campaigning to get social care put on an equal footing with the NHS, including coordinating a response with Care England and other charities, and writing  to Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to call for a dedicated national strategy to support care home residents and their families through the pandemic.

In response to new ONS data released today, Sally Copley, Director of Policy, Campaigns and Partnerships at Alzheimer’s Society said:

'While we are not in the least surprised we are still devastated to hear nearly a quarter of confirmed coronavirus deaths in England are now confirmed as coming from care homes, and still rising every week, exposing the true growing scale of the crisis that is happening in our nation’s care homes.

With 70% of people in care homes living with dementia this pandemic is taking a dreadful toll on the families we work with. The Government must make sure that every single death is examined and counted.

'We know that this is a terrifying time for those with loved ones with dementia in care homes. People are dying, alone, because it’s clear that care homes are just not receiving the testing and protective equipment they were promised by the Government.'