MATT Hancock’s memories of the way he handled care homes during the Covid pandemic has been condemned as a “deluded version” of events.
Nadra Ahmed, the chair of the National Care Association which represents small and medium care home providers, said the former health secretary’s account “bears no resemblance to the facts”.
She added that Hancock’s account, which has been included in extracts of his diary serialised by The Daily Mail, are words which have been “peddled” by a man who “had no awareness of social care and its value then and this demonstrates he has learnt nothing since”.
Hancock insists the virus was primarily brought into facilities by infected staff members.
READ MORE: Ian Blackford opens up on his five years as the SNP Westminster leader
The Government decided in the early stages of the outbreak to discharge potentially infectious Covid patients from hospitals into care homes without prior testing.
This has been blamed as one of the reasons for the huge number of Covid deaths in care facilities during the first wave of the pandemic.
He also suggests there was “scandalous” behaviour of some care home bosses whom he says allowed employees infected with the virus to work.
In his entry on April 2 2020, Hancock states that negative tests would not be needed before patients are moved into care homes.
He said: “The tragic but honest truth is we don’t have enough testing capacity to check anyway. It’s an utter nightmare, but it’s the reality.
“Under the circumstances, we must make sure that anyone going from a hospital into a care home is kept away from other residents. I hope this message filters through and is followed.”
On January 29 2021, he wrote: “Scandalous behaviour by certain care home operators, who are unscrupulously using staff with Covid.
“Inspectors have identified no fewer than 40 places where this is happening.”
Hancock’s entry says he was “shocked” and it “underlines why we need to make jabs mandatory for people working in social care”.
Ahmed said: “Sadly, the account peddled by Matt Hancock bears no resemblance to the facts.
“Those of us who lived through some of the most harrowing times in the history of social care can only see this as a deluded version. He had no awareness of social care and its value then and this demonstrates he has learnt nothing since.
“The sector was crying out for support which fell on deaf ears repeatedly. We knew that testing and vaccinations were the key to containing the infection and both took their time to reach social care and the ‘free’ PPE which was lauded as support some providers found to be faulty.
“At a time when he should be acknowledging the critical role of social care and its workforce he has chosen to condemn us once more to justify his own considerable failings and for his own financial benefit. It feels like we lived in parallel universes.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel