There's been much debate re whether untested patients should have been discharged to care homes. Today we learned nearly 38% of delayed discharges in Scotland during pandemic were to care homes - higher than previously thought. We've been pushing for numbers since Apr 15. 1/6
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman gave the 38% figure, but not the number of people, in response to a Q from @MilesBriggsMSP. Based on the rate & figures quoted in April by Ms Freeman, it means at least 342 patients were discharged to care home before testing was mandatory. 2/6
My colleague @clalavelle asked about this on Apr 15 ( ) & Ms Freeman said "to date, just over 900 people" had been released under delayed discharge. Scot Gov press office later said % going to care homes was "broadly similar" to prev pattern of 31-32%. 3/6
Today, @MilesBriggs asked at Holyrood for numbers. Ms Freeman: "As of last week, 38% went to care homes". So, assuming 38% rate is similar throughout, it means 342+ to Apr 15. (Until Apr 21, there was no policy to test these patients. So, there could be more in that 6 days.) 4/6
Also, care homes and unions have said some Covid-positive patients were knowingly placed in care homes by NHS. There were serious concerns about this from staff, unions tells us, not least as it came at a time when there were PPE shortages. 5/6
The Scottish Government are standing firm that the tactic of emptying wards by sending untested patients to care homes was not a mistake, and will not say they regret it. Opposition disagree. @MilesBriggs: “It’s no wonder that Covid has exploded within the care home sector."
