Thread by @C4Ciaran

NEW: We have seen a letter from Health Secretary Jeane Freeman confirming that it took at least *six days* to test everyone at a care home where there have now been 7 deaths.

https://twitter.com/C4Ciaran/status/1313553160368160768

Jeane Freeman letter reveals it was almost a week before full testing at Redhill care home home amid a fatal COVID outbreak.

NHS Lothian initially said all staff and residents tested ‘as soon as the first case was identified’.

▪️Is six days ‘as soon as’?

Here is the original statement from NHS Lothian. Next to it is the actual timeline set out by Jeane Freeman.

This is not an isolated case. There was a fatal outbreak at Milford House too. Again NHS Lothian said full testing ‘as soon as first case identified.’

We revealed it actually took 7 days.

https://twitter.com/c4ciaran/status/1313555383429066755

NHS Lothian told us last week ‘testing is only part of the part of the outbreak response.’

Here is their statement:

*Apologies it’s Redmill (autocorrect)

Jeane Freeman gave a detailed response to a number of Qs from @NeilFindlay which I anticipate will soon be published in full through the proper channels.

Freeman: ‘You will wish to note that Scottish Government officials contacted HC-One who wanted to reiterate that they are pleased with the level of support provided by West Lothian HSCP and NHS Lothian with whom they are working very closely.’

It goes without saying that proper testing is fundamental to protecting care homes from the mistakes of the first wave when thousands of vulnerable residents died.

@NeilFindlay_MSP is the correct handle

The @scotgp Health Spokeswoman Alison Johnstone says it’s ‘completely unacceptable for there to be a six- or seven-day wait for care home residents to be tested at this stage of the pandemic.’

@scotgp: ‘The apparent failure to learn lessons from the spring is extremely worrying. It’s clear that the virus is once again out of control and the First Minister’s claims to the contrary simply don’t wash.’

@ScotTories Health Spokesman Donald Cameron says ‘Scotland’s care homes have already been badly let down by the SNP Government during this pandemic, and as cases increase again, they must be fully protected.’

‘Families who have lost loved ones in this tragic situation deserve an urgent explanation as to why it took so long for everyone to be tested. In addition, the SNP Government needs to ensure this will not be repeated elsewhere.’