Nursing home receiving support as six residents develop COVID-19

The Owen More Care Centre on the Culmore Road confirmed six residents in one unit of the home on the Culmore Road tested positive on Friday, March 27.

Management said observations had been in place at the home to detect cases and that ‘early swift action was taken to notify GPs, the Public Health Agency, Western Trust and Regulation, Quality and Improvement Authority (RQIA).

Over the weekend the home was provided with a “significant uplift in Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)”, according to the Department of Health.

Symptomatic staff were being given priority access to the COVID-19 testing centre yesterday, DoH said.

In a statement the home said: “We are treating the situation with utmost seriousness and strict infection prevention and control measures are in place.

“The residents affected and those not affected are being isolated, supported by staff. All staff within the home have been informed and contact has been made with all residents’ next of kin.

“We appreciate that this is a very worrying time for families and we wish to reassure them that our staff are committed to their loved ones and we are doing everything that we possibly can.”

Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson said: “My first thoughts are with the families and the loved ones of those directly affected by this deeply distressing news.

“Families of residents at the care centre are now concerned that there could be other cases in the home and are worried about their loved ones.”

Ms. Anderson wrote to the Department of Health asking what actions had been being taken to protect workers and staff at the home.

Yesterday Mark Lee, DoH Director of Mental Health, Disability and Older People, confirmed that officials have been in contact with the Western Trust, who have been in close contact with Owen Mor throughout the weekend.

The support measures included, he wrote: “The provision of a significant uplift in PPE from the Trust on Friday, March 27.

“We understand this has been further supplemented over the weekend. Provision of Trust managerial and clinical support over the weekend through their Acute Care at Home team, with medical and nursing input.

”Provision of Trust advice on infection prevention and control, including management of COVID-19 positive residents into one area and providing a link with PHA health protection who have provided additional advice.

”Frequent communication with the responsible person for the Home, Una McDonald – who we understand has acknowledged the level of support provided by the Trust.

”Priority access for the home to the local COVID-19 testing centre on Monday, March 30 for Owen Mor staff who are symptomatic.”

Ms. Anderson welcomed the moves as a step in the right direction.

“It also remains the case that every possible step must be taken to protect the residents and staff, not just at Owen Mor but at all care homes.

“Testing needs to be much more widespread if we are to effectively fight this virus.

“It’s also outrageous that front line health care workers providing invaluable care for patients in local communities are being left to feel that they are not being supported and protected.

“Residential homes and domiciliary care providers are front line health-care workers and should be properly protected in terms of PPE and testing, particularly as physical distancing isn’t possible when caring for patients.”