Care homes refuse to readmit hospital patients not tested for COVID-19

The owners of 17 care homes have refused to readmit hospital patients, unless they test negative for COVID-19.

Care homes in Somerset have taken a stand against North Somerset Council and their CCG to protect the lives of their residents in lockdown at all costs.

Gordon Butcher, chairman executive of the Registered Nursing Homes Association (RNHA) sent a letter to the council and North Somerset and South Gloucestershire clinical commissioning group (CCG) on behalf of the care homes.

'Russian roulette'

Peter Allen, the managing director operating Clevedon Court, Manor Park and Butterfly House refused a request to readmit a male resident who had been in hospital for several weeks but had not been tested.

“We said he needed to be tested. We couldn’t take the risk of bringing him in”.

The male resident was then tested and died just days after testing positive for COVID-19.

“The only way COVID-19 is getting into a home is from a member of staff or a patient from hospital. It’s almost a Russian roulette taking patients in”.

Care homes which have confirmed they will no longer accept untested hospital patients are: Albert House, Ambleside, Annabel House, Arrigadeen, Beach Lawns, Beaufort Hall, Clarence Park, Clevedon Court, Ellenbourgh, Highcroft, Leonard Elms, Lyndhurst Park, Manor Park, Oaklands, Serenita, The Manor House and Winscombe Hall.

A spokesperson for North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCG said: “The safety of care home residents and staff is a priority, and we are determined to make sure discharges from local hospitals into nursing or social care do not put people at risk.

“Therefore, in line with national guidance the NHS is testing people who are being discharged from hospital to care homes, before they leave hospital.

“We recognise that a small number of people may be discharged from the NHS within the 14-day period from the onset of COVID-19 symptoms needing ongoing social care.

“In these circumstances, if appropriate isolation care is not available with a local care provider, the individual’s local authority will secure alternative appropriate accommodation and care for the remainder of the required isolation period, with NHS community and primary care assistance as needed.”