Sheffield care home criticised over handling of coronavirus

Last week it emerged that a 94-year-old with underlying health conditions was moved from the Northern General Hospital into Richmond Heights care home after testing positive for Covid-19.

At the time, a spokesperson for Priory Adult Care, which runs Richmond Heights, said individuals testing positive can be safely cared for in a care home setting where appropriate procedures are followed. The company said “clear infection and prevention control measures” are in place to contain the outbreak.

It comes amid fears that coronavirus could spread quickly among staff and patients in care settings, with fatal consequences in some cases. Staff at care homes in Sheffield have criticised working conditions during the coronavirus outbreak, accusing bosses of deliberately limiting PPE and bringing in new residents despite people ‘dropping like flies’ as the disease spreads in the facilities.

Now, a relative of a Richmond Heights resident has hit out at the care home over their handling of the infection.

Bob Hudson, who visited his 85-year-old mother Nancy at the facility last week, said: “I was worried about taking it in there but there's more chance of me taking it out. There were no qualms about us going in or anything.

“There was no social distancing. All the staff were huddled together. Nurses aren't in protective gear, I don't think they had aprons on or anything. They were treating it as a normal day.”

Bob was told his mother is dying one week after staff said she was fine. A doctor said the deterioration in her condition was not due to coronavirus. He gave a diagnosis over the phone after Bob said he refused to travel to Richmond Heights.

He added: “She's in her own room but the nurses are going in and out as if it's nothing.

“My worry is they are letting people visit and if they bring in a case it's going to be around the home in no time.”

Bob said as of Friday 10, April he had not been informed by Richmond Heights that a resident had coronavirus. He found out via an the article in The Star.

He said: “I was given a flimsy apron and a pair of gloves when I visited yesterday (9 April). Even if it's not coronavirus, for safety my mum should be quarantined somewhere.

“I'm worried for the staff as well. They are still going in and out and going back to their families.”

A spokesperson from Richmond Heights said: “We have written to all relatives providing them with an update from the home and the measures we are taking to safeguard our residents and staff. All staff at Richmond House are following appropriate infection prevention and control measures, and any individual who exhibited symptoms of Coronavirus would be nursed and cared for in a separate room that is completely isolated from others in the home.

“When visitors come to the home, they may see staff who are not wearing full PPE. This is because it is not required, in line with Government guidelines, as people in the main areas of the home are asymptomatic. If all staff were wearing PPE unnecessarily this may cause alarm to residents, and would also waste valuable resources as they are not required.

“We are taking everyone’s temperature twice a day as per national guidance and are monitoring everyone closely. General visiting to the home has been suspended, with only some individuals able to visit for very short periods of time as their loved one is nearing the end of their life. These are cases unrelated to Coronavirus. We have strict procedures in place for these visits, where the visitor washes their hands on arrival, goes directly to their loved one’s room, washes their hands immediately afterwards and does not interact with any other residents or go to communal areas.”