Care home visits a “massive boost” for residents before Christmas
Mass coronavirus testing of visitors is being trialled in 14 Scottish care homes, ahead of its rollout across the country next week.
Lateral flow COVID-19 testing kits have been made available to designated visitors in 14 early adopter care homes across five local authorities.
The rapid tests will mean more people can safely visit their loved ones, which many have been unable to do during the heightened restrictions.
Karen Hedge, national director at Scottish Care, said staff recognise the positive impact these visits will have on elderly and vulnerable people.
She said: “People come into social care because they care – you cannot do this job unless you are interested in people and relationships.
“Each and every one of us who work in this sector really recognise the importance of interaction – particularly with family members and loved ones.
“That’s our ultimate aim here but it is really hard to do that when we have a global pandemic.”
Despite higher levels of care home visits being allowed, Ms Hedge stressed the importance of other safety procedures.
“I think what’s really critical to remember about the lateral flow tests is that they form only a very small part of an overall programme of infection prevent control and managing this virus,” she said.
“There won’t be capacity for everyone to visit a care home on the same day; the lateral flow tests are a real opportunity for us to enable safer visiting but it does take time to carry that out.”
The Scottish Government announced testing kits will be sent out to all care homes across Scotland from Monday 14 December, once guidance and training materials have been finalised following the trial.
Adam Stachura, head of policy at Age Scotland, told the Glasgow Standard it will be a massive boost for care home residents.
He said: “We know that the impact of loneliness and isolation on older people across Scotland has been massive – it was a public health crisis before coronavirus hit and has just increased exponentially across the country.
“Residents have been largely isolated from their loved ones for almost nine months now and that’s been an intolerable burden, not just for the residents themselves, but their loved ones who really want to visit and check up on them.
“The rollout of these rapid tests is going to be hugely beneficial – we want to make sure that there aren’t as many barriers as there have been for people to visit their loved ones in care homes because it’s had a massive impact on their quality of life.
Mr Stachura added the development has come “just at the right time”, with weeks until Christmas.
“We want to make sure that there aren’t as many barriers as there have been for people to visit their loved ones in care homes because it’s had a massive impact on their quality of life.”
Adam Stachura, Age Scotland
“Initially we thought it would just be a dozen care homes before Christmas and then other care homes would get it after the new year and beyond,” he said.
“It will be a massive boost to care homes residents who are really looking forward to seeing their family and friends as best they can before Christmas.
“They’ve gone so long without this visitation that this acts as a little light at the end of the tunnel for them.”
