Cumbrian care home owner calls lack of testing a "scandal"
The owner of a care home in Cumbria says it's a "scandal" that his staff haven't been tested for coronavirus, despite trying for several weeks to get appointments.
One resident has died at Howard Court in Brampton, with Covid-19 thought to have been a contributory factor.
The staff have protested by wearing T-shirts declaring "We need testing."
"We're working with vulnerable people," says carer Nicola Hodgson. "We are also going home and we don't know what we're going to be coming into each day and if we're going to be taking it home."
Her colleague, Heather Tiffon, adds: "Other people are getting tested ahead of the frontline workers that are keeping everybody safe in care homes and hospitals".
Cook Amelia Hesmondhalgh says, "We don't know if we've picked it up from anywhere or anybody and we're going back in there. We don't understand why we cannot get tested."
The staff are frustrated by the amount of time it's taking to try to arrange a test and the amount of bureaucracy involved.
They say on different occasions they've been given conflicting advice about whether they are eligible.
Owner Mike Dresser says: "We were told on the 28th of April that all staff and residents could be tested, whether they're symptomatic or not. But we got an email 24 hours later on the 29th to say that only symptomatic staff or residents would be tested and this keeps changing.
"On the 5th of May we were told again that tests would be available through a portal, which only as of today is that fully functioning."
He is very critical of the system. He said: "It's a scandal, capacity means nothing. testing counts. Staff should be tested not just once but regularly."
Dr Layla McCay, a director at The The NHS Confederation says: "Even now when so many new systems have been put in place, it's really disappointing to know that these systems have not quite nailed it and some people are still without testing."
Their local MP, Conservative Neil Hudson, has been liaising with the home and says the government's testing programme is being expanded to include NHS and social care staff and care home residents.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “The government is working around the clock to make sure care homes and our frontline care workforce are getting the support they need to protect residents and tackle coronavirus.
“We have launched a new online portal to make it easier for care homes to arrange deliveries of coronavirus test kits. All care home staff and residents can now be tested, whether they have symptoms or not.”
The workers have now registered via the portal but say they still don't yet know when they'll receive the tests.