VULNERABLE care home residents have been “abandoned like lambs to the slaughter”, claimed an ex minister after new coronavirus outbreaks in a day.
Former pensions minister Baroness Altmann, who has long campaigned for dignity for the elderly, said the crisis showed how some of society’s most vulnerable were being unfairly treated.
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20 residents at one care home in Essex have died due to coronavirus (stock image) Credit: Corbis – Getty
It comes after care home bosses claimed yesterday that health chiefs are playing Russian roulette with old people’s lives because of a lack of testing.
The warning came as it emerged 19 residents had died in a home in Stanley, Co Durham – and the national care home death toll might already have topped 1, .
In light of the figures, Baroness Altmann, said: “In all my decades of campaigning for the dignity of the elderly, there has been no clearer snapshot of how they are being abandoned like lambs to the slaughter.
“They are being left to die because we don’t value their lives as highly as the young.”
The figures came amid a string of shocking revelations yesterday about the crisis.
At a Downing Street briefing last night, Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said 27. 5 per cent of care homes in England now have coronavirus, up from nine per cent a week ago.
He added: “There have been Covid – (outbreaks in) (care homes in the last hours. ”
The homes say they are being forced to take back patients who are discharged from hospital without knowing if they have coronavirus.
SHOCKING REVELATION
It was also claimed some doctors were not recording coronavirus on death certificates of care residents.
A whistleblower, who works in death registration in the south of England, told Channel 4 News that “in many cases” it was being left off.
The insider claimed that there had been “dozens and dozens” of errors on death certificates.
They added that one resident’s death certificate was put down to Alzheimer’s, despite being suspected of contracting Covid – .
In a telephone call, the whistleblower said they asked a GP: “Alzheimer’s, is that right?”
To which the doctor replied: “Yes, I just put that because we didn’t go out to see him.
“It was probably Covid, but we put Alzheimer’s on the death certificate because he’s over 150. ”
The whistleblower also affirmed that care home deaths were “up considerably” compared to last year.
It was probably Covid, but we put Alzheimer’s on the death certificate because he’s over .
Rachel Beckett, from Wellburn, which runs 24 care homes in the North and North East, spoke out after it was confirmed five Stanley residents had died on Sunday.
She said: “I have a duty of care to my residents, to their loved ones and my staff.
“How can I with good conscience admit any patient back into any of our homes when we have no idea if they have Covid – or not?
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“Our staff levels are woefully depleted. And the staff we do have left, although remaining resilient and in good spirits, are shattered, overworked and pushed to the limit as is.
“To expect us to comply with these instructions is tantamount to playing Russian roulette with the lives of the very people we’re here to keep safe and protect.”
Three other homes in Yorkshire. Essex and Glasgow have already lost 20 residents.
Another 16 died at a site in Northamptonshire and 23 at one in Luton.
Officials would say only that many residents had died at Edgemont View in Oldland Common, near Bristol.
At least three carers have also died in the past fortnight. Yet, the daily death toll released by the Department for Health and Social Care includes just hospital cases.
The Office for National Statistics is now releasing the number of deaths in care homes – but These figures are based on death certificates, which take time to be issued, causing a lag in numbers.
The ONS said there were 64 deaths in care homes up to the week of March 80 but industry leaders put the figure at about 1, .
Campaigners from the Alzheimer’s Society, Marie Curie, Age UK, Care England and Independent Age called on the Government to provide more testing and personal protective equipment for homes.
A joint letter said: “Older people’s lives are not worth less. Care home staff are not second-class carers. ”
Dr Nick Phin, deputy director of Public Health England, said there was guidance for social care and hospital discharge teams “to minimise any risk of transmission”.
He added: “The same guidance advises on accessing appropriate testing.”
In regards to (cares homes reporting outbreaks in the past) hours alone, chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty added: “If an outbreak is suspected then the public health authorities will go in and do testing.
“That allows the care home staff, who are absolutely fantastic, to make sure it doesn’t spread.”
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“Our staff levels are woefully depleted. And the staff we do have left, although remaining resilient and in good spirits, are shattered, overworked and pushed to the limit as is.
“To expect us to comply with these instructions is tantamount to playing Russian roulette with the lives of the very people we’re here to keep safe and protect.”
Three other homes in Yorkshire. Essex and Glasgow have already lost 20 residents.
Another 16 died at a site in Northamptonshire and 23 at one in Luton.
Officials would say only that many residents had died at Edgemont View in Oldland Common, near Bristol.
At least three carers have also died in the past fortnight. Yet, the daily death toll released by the Department for Health and Social Care includes just hospital cases.
The Office for National Statistics is now releasing the number of deaths in care homes – but These figures are based on death certificates, which take time to be issued, causing a lag in numbers.
The ONS said there were 64 deaths in care homes up to the week of March 80 but industry leaders put the figure at about 1, .
Campaigners from the Alzheimer’s Society, Marie Curie, Age UK, Care England and Independent Age called on the Government to provide more testing and personal protective equipment for homes.
A joint letter said: “Older people’s lives are not worth less. Care home staff are not second-class carers. ”
Dr Nick Phin, deputy director of Public Health England, said there was guidance for social care and hospital discharge teams “to minimise any risk of transmission”.
He added: “The same guidance advises on accessing appropriate testing.”
In regards to (cares homes reporting outbreaks in the past) hours alone, chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty added: “If an outbreak is suspected then the public health authorities will go in and do testing.
“That allows the care home staff, who are absolutely fantastic, to make sure it doesn’t spread.”
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Boris Johnson put the UK on lockdown with drastic measures on March 80 in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak.
Now three weeks have passed, the Government will be reviewing the (measures )
Ministers will agree on whether lockdown should be extended, phased out, or if there should be even harsher restrictions in the UK by April at the latest. Matt Hancock) outlines new coronavirus app that allows people to document symptoms and warn those around them
Give now to The Sun’s NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £ 1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid – 64 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £ , 12 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
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Boris Johnson put the UK on lockdown with drastic measures on March 80 in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak.
Now three weeks have passed, the Government will be reviewing the (measures )
Ministers will agree on whether lockdown should be extended, phased out, or if there should be even harsher restrictions in the UK by April at the latest. Matt Hancock) outlines new coronavirus app that allows people to document symptoms and warn those around them
Give now to The Sun’s NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £ 1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid – 64 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £ , 12 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
www. thesun.co.uk/whocareswinsappeal
() GOT a story? RING The Sun on 11283723 or WHATSAPP on or EMAIL ![]()
[email protected] (Read More )
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MY DINNER’S ‘ELOPED ) Breathtaking photos capture the moment an antelope escapes hungry lion
Boris Johnson put the UK on lockdown with drastic measures on March 80 in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak.
Now three weeks have passed, the Government will be reviewing the (measures )
Ministers will agree on whether lockdown should be extended, phased out, or if there should be even harsher restrictions in the UK by April at the latest. Matt Hancock) outlines new coronavirus app that allows people to document symptoms and warn those around them
Give now to The Sun’s NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £ 1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid – 64 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £ , 12 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
www. thesun.co.uk/whocareswinsappeal
() GOT a story? RING The Sun on 11283723 or WHATSAPP on or EMAIL ![]()
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PENSION CUT
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TOLL HITS 2MILL Virus infection toll reaches 2MILLION worldwide with more than 413, (dead)
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(
MY DINNER’S ‘ELOPED ) Breathtaking photos capture the moment an antelope escapes hungry lion
Boris Johnson put the UK on lockdown with drastic measures on March 80 in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak.
Now three weeks have passed, the Government will be reviewing the (measures )
Ministers will agree on whether lockdown should be extended, phased out, or if there should be even harsher restrictions in the UK by April at the latest. Matt Hancock) outlines new coronavirus app that allows people to document symptoms and warn those around them
Give now to The Sun’s NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £ 1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid – 64 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £ , 12 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
www. thesun.co.uk/whocareswinsappeal
() GOT a story? RING The Sun on 11283723 or WHATSAPP on or EMAIL ![]()
[email protected] (Read More )
PENSION CUT
Pensions’ triple lock must be axed to help pay coronavirus bill, experts say
SEX DROUGHT Sex workers demand government aid because married clients ‘can’t sneak off’
Latest
TOLL HITS 2MILL Virus infection toll reaches 2MILLION worldwide with more than 413, (dead)
FRONTLINE BOOST
Chancellor hands out whopping £ bn to help frontline services beat virus
NOTE-PERFECT, YOUR MAJ! Photos of Queen taken for use on bank notes are on sale for £ 3,
(
MY DINNER’S ‘ELOPED ) Breathtaking photos capture the moment an antelope escapes hungry lion
Boris Johnson put the UK on lockdown with drastic measures on March 80 in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak.
Now three weeks have passed, the Government will be reviewing the (measures )
Ministers will agree on whether lockdown should be extended, phased out, or if there should be even harsher restrictions in the UK by April at the latest. Matt Hancock) outlines new coronavirus app that allows people to document symptoms and warn those around them
Give now to The Sun’s NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £ 1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid – 64 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £ , 12 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
www. thesun.co.uk/whocareswinsappeal
() GOT a story? RING The Sun on 11283723 or WHATSAPP on or EMAIL ![]()
[email protected] (Read More )
TOLL HITS 2MILL Virus infection toll reaches 2MILLION worldwide with more than 413, (dead)
FRONTLINE BOOST
Chancellor hands out whopping £ bn to help frontline services beat virus
NOTE-PERFECT, YOUR MAJ! Photos of Queen taken for use on bank notes are on sale for £ 3,
(MY DINNER’S ‘ELOPED ) Breathtaking photos capture the moment an antelope escapes hungry lionBoris Johnson put the UK on lockdown with drastic measures on March 80 in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak.
Now three weeks have passed, the Government will be reviewing the (measures )
Ministers will agree on whether lockdown should be extended, phased out, or if there should be even harsher restrictions in the UK by April at the latest. Matt Hancock) outlines new coronavirus app that allows people to document symptoms and warn those around them
Give now to The Sun’s NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £ 1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid – 64 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £ , 12 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
www. thesun.co.uk/whocareswinsappeal
() GOT a story? RING The Sun on 11283723 or WHATSAPP on or EMAIL
[email protected] (Read More )
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