Sheffield health bosses explain reason why 94-year-old with coronavirus was moved from hospital to care home

Pauline Ward’s uncle Jack Kershaw, who has stage three chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – a lung disease characterised by long-term breathing problems and poor airflow -was taken into the Northern General Hospital last month with suspected coronavirus.

A test returned a negative result, however, and on Friday Jack’s discharge nurse told Pauline he was medically fit to go into a care home. But, as another patient on his ward had been ‘exposed to coronavirus’, the hospital wanted to monitor Jack over the weekend.

On Monday, Pauline was told her uncle had now tested positive for coronavirus – but he was still going to be sent to Richmond Heights care home.

She said: “I can’t believe they have knowingly put someone in knowing that they have coronavirus. I just think it’s despicable.

“It’s like they are trying to kill off the elderly, I just don’t get the sense in it.”

Jack’s wife and Pauline’s auntie – 95-year-old Mabel – is also staying at the same facility.

“To me it’s just a death wish. Anyone in that nursing home, I would be wanting to get them out,” Pauline said.

“I’m concerned about my auntie and uncle and everyone else in there. I cant even visit or speak to them. They are risking everyone else's parents and loved ones and they are supposed to be protecting them.”

Pauline has been told her uncle will be barrier-nursed and will be given his own room. However, she has also been informed he and Mabel may be moved again, which Pauline said would create a risk to more people still.

There are also many reports nationwide of care homes being ‘overstretched and at breaking point’.

A care home owner in Devon has described the policy of asking care homes to take in Covid-19 patients as "importing death into care homes" and accused the government of sacrificing the elderly.

New government guidelines say negative tests for coronavirus are not required prior to the admittance of a new patient into a care home.

But Dr David Hughes, Medical Director, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “We would never knowingly put anyone at risk especially not those who are the most vulnerable. The decision to discharge Mr Kershaw was not due to a lack of beds in the hospital, it was because he no longer needed hospital care.

“Before he was transferred there was a discussion with the care home to ensure they knew Mr Kershaw had tested positive for coronavirus a few days after having a negative result. The home informed us that they had plans in place to put the gentleman into isolation away from other residents or visitors and they knew the appropriate infection control measures to take in line with national guidance.”

A spokesperson for Priory Adult Care, which runs Richmond Heights, said: “In line with Government guidance issued on 2nd April 2020, we are committed to providing care which relieves pressure on the NHS and supports hospitals to have enough beds to treat acutely sick patients. The guidance is clear that individuals with COVID-19 can be safely cared for in a care home setting where appropriate procedures are followed.

“Our services have clear infection and prevention control measures in place and employ barrier nursing where required. Homes are equipped with the necessary PPE and staff are well trained in the appropriate practice to ensure that care can safely be delivered, for all residents.”