COVID-related care home deaths in Northern Ireland to be published - Minister

It emerged this week that the number of COVID-related or suspected deaths in care homes had not been collated and published in the same way as other deaths, but assurances have now been given that these figures will be published within days.

There have been 32 incidents of care homes across the north being affected by coronavirus to date, causing heartbreak and concern for residents and staff, and their families and loved ones.

It is understood there have been issues in collecting data relating to what would normally take place in terms of official processes around recording cause of death.

COVID-related or suspected deaths at care homes have not been included in the figures of tragic losses as a result of COVID in hospital settings the north, which stood at 134 as of Monday.

Minister Swann said: “Currently, the reporting of Covid-19 deaths falls into two main categories. The Public Health Agency publishes a daily surveillance report, which includes information on deaths reported by Trusts and focuses mainly on hospital-based deaths.

“This is important information which enables comparison with other regions who follow the same pandemic reporting protocols. Clearly, for such comparisons to be meaningful and valid the data must be produced on a similar basis.

“In addition, NISRA is publishing weekly deaths statistics that include suspected and confirmed COVID-19 related deaths across hospital and community settings.

“I welcome NISRA’s intention to provide a further level of breakdown including, as soon as possible, information on deaths in care homes.

“It’s in everyone’s interests for published statistics to give as full a picture as possible on Covid-19. We need maximum public awareness on the seriousness of the virus and its potentially devastating consequences.”

The Minister said that testing of any care home resident or staff member displaying Covid-19 symptoms is being undertaken. This is an important measure to help residents stay safe.

“Vital work is being done by the HSC system to support care homes and their residents at this time,” he said. “Every single one of these residents matter just as much as every other citizen in our society. Evidence from all parts of these islands and elsewhere around Europe shows that care homes are particularly vulnerable to Covid-19. We must continue to do all that we can to protect residents and staff and to show that the care home sector is as valued and as important as any other part of the health and social care system.

“The RQIA has set up a Service Support Team to provide help, advice and support to care homes and domiciliary care providers. Trusts also continue to work closely with homes to ensure the provision of PPE and to help address staffing challenges. In the event of an outbreak, expert PHA advice on infection control is available.”

The Department of Health said that within the past week 1.7 million items of PPE have been distributed by Trusts to the Independent sector which includes care homes and domiciliary care settings. This includes 637,000 gloves, 413,000 plastic aprons and 400,000 liquid repellent surgical masks.

Derry & Strabane People Before Profit Councillor Eamonn McCann however raised concerns over the lack of details on deaths in care homes and the equipment being issued.

He said: “We also need explanation why care workers going in and out of homes have been provided with flimsy protective equipment which gives them no confidence of their own safety or, given the vulnerability of care home residents, the safety of those for whom they care.

“Nursing homes are regulated as health care facilities. The standards of hygiene and protective equipment in those facilities should be no less than in other health care settings.”

He added; “Relatives of care home residents are understandably distressed that their loved ones appear to have been put into a sort of limbo as far as identifying people with Covid-19 are concerned. The message conveyed is that they have been forgotten.

“None of this is the fault of care homes workers – who are themselves at risk. The failure is systematic.

“This is not a time for political argy-bargy. It is a time for the people to be trusted with the truth. There is enough anxiety in the community already.”

Sinn Féin health spokesperson Councillor Sandra Duffy has also raised concerns over potential gaps in official figures around infection rate sad the numbers who have died from COVID-19.

She said: “The extent of the impact of COVID-19 needs to be fully recorded to be understood and responded to now and in the future.

“The current published data has serious limitations in that it only records those cases and deaths that occur within a hospital setting and where a positive test has been completed.

“Just this week it was confirmed that clusters have been identified in care homes. There may be many more cases and clusters in the community that we are unaware of.

“A lack of testing means the possibility that the true scale of the crisis here is unknown, is a real concern.

“It is important that decision makers have the best evidence to inform their actions. Gaps in data between recorded cases and the true number of cases could be detrimental now and in the future with regards to understanding the impact of COVID-19.

“It is important testing in the community is up scaled significantly to get as clear a picture as possible as to the extent of the impact of COVID-19 as possible.”

The Mayor of Derry & Strabane Michaela Boyle last week wrote to residents and staff to reassure them of the support of local people.