Whistleblower claims Covid-positive residents 'wander freely' in Edinburgh care home

LABOUR MP Ian Murray has called for a probe into allegations of poor protection for staff and residents at Jewel House care home in Bingham where it is believed up to nine residents have died with coronavirus.

His call follows claims by a whistleblower about conditions at the council-run home.

The member of staff, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “There have been nine deaths within the last two weeks and a further 10 residents have tested positive for Covid-19.

“We feel this could have been better prevented if senior staff, management and team leaders followed the guidelines accordingly.”

The insider claimed residents who had received a positive diagnosis were allowed to walk around freely and criticised infection control measures, saying staff had been left without adequate protection and six had tested positive for the virus.

They continued: “This is very upsetting and distressing for all care staff having to deal with this on every shift and having the worry of catching this virus.

“This virus has spread quickly due to senior staff slacking on guidelines,”

Mr Murray said: “These are concerning claims which need to be investigated. It’s important that guidelines are followed for the safety of both residents and staff.”

A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate confirmed it had been informed of deaths at Jewel House. “We have been notified of the circumstances and we are in contact with the care service and the local health and social care partnership.”

A spokesperson for the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Our priority is always the safety of residents and staff in care homes. We are carefully following national guidance and have robust processes and procedures in place to limit the spread of the virus.”

Life in lockdown inside a care home

A RETIRED nurse who is on lockdown in an Edinburgh care home is being charged £1,500 a week for a room next to someone with covid.

Rhoda Kerr, 80, from Edinburgh lived at Orchard Brae until she moved into the home in October last year.

She sold her flat to pay the fees in the home which she said provided a “wonderful service”.

However daily outings to the zoo and tearooms have been halted and residents are isolated in their room after two residents, one in the room next to Ms Kerr, were diagnosed with coronavirus.

She said: “There is no stimulation anymore and residents, many of whom are in very poor health have been abandoned in their room with nobody to talk too apart from the catering staff.

“This is rather a large amount to charge people when everything the care home usually offers has been cancelled.”

Ms Kerr, who worked as a sister at the Western General for many years, added that she is not only worried about residents’ financial wellbeing but their physical and mental health.

She said: “I understand that a care home is not run the same as a hospital but I worry that residents will be suffering due to lack of exercise causing them to stiffen up and lack of companionship causing distress.”

The neurosurgical nurse who trained in Edinburgh in 1959 said the care home staff were facing increasing pressure and care service had slipped.

She said: “Many of the staff are young with young families and some of the staff have said they are not coming into work and are scared of passing in on to their children.

“This means that there is less staff on the floor and staff are working longer shifts and have been visibly overworked.

“I am concerned that standards are not as high.”