Care homes for older people in Scotland were unable to provide enough support for residents due to staffing shortages at least 30 times during the covid crisis.

From early April to 17^th June, 30 red alerts meaning homes were ‘unable to meet people’s care and support needs’ without help were recorded by the Care Inspectorate.

Another 149 amber warnings were lodged, meaning there was a risk of not being able to care for residents.

Nearly 2,000 deaths linked to covid-19 have taken place in care homes for adults and older people, making up 46% of all the virus deaths in Scotland.

A report submitted to the Scottish Parliament’s health committee by the Care Inspectorate ahead of an evidence session tomorrow reveals larger care homes suffered more, as did those in cities and towns.

Meanwhile those in rural and remote areas had fewer suspected cases per 100 residents.

However the report also notes there is ‘no clear relationship’ between the rating the home had received from the regulator and the level of coronavirus cases, with chief inspectorate Peter Macleod writing:  ‘It is not the case that better performing services do not get covid-19.’

Mr Macleod states: ‘Early in March, we put an early warning system of enhanced notifications in place, requiring services to tell us about both suspected and confirmed cases of covid-19, and staffing levels affected by covid-19.

‘The red, amber, green system was unique across the UK regulators and meant we were immediately alerted to issues and could provide scrutiny, guidance and support to services directly, as well as directing resources to services from other key agencies where needed.’

healthandcare.scot previously reported a recruitment portal to get former care workers to return to the sector during covid-19 led to fewer than 50 people being employed.

Nearly 800 pre-employment checks were carried out, resulting in 45 appointments since the portal went live on the 1st April. Placements in adult care homes made up the biggest portion with 26 people returning to work.

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