The CQC has published the figures for the number of individuals who died in care homes nationally during the pandemic. Local MP Maria Miller said,
“People living in our care homes are some of the most vulnerable in our community and every death is a deep tragedy. Following the publication of this report my thoughts are again with all those who lost loved ones who lived in a care home. It has been particularly challenging and heartbreaking for these families, unable to make regular visits or to be with their loved ones for their final days or hours.
“The Care Quality Commission’s report illustrates the painful reality of the past 16 months and what the data shows most vividly is the story of the pandemic in the UK with care homes in the North West experiencing the most covid related deaths in the first wave of the pandemic with care homes in the South East harder hit in the second wave when the Alpha variant of the virus was predominant.
“As the Inspector sets out, caution needs to be taken in how this data is interpreted and that the report’s figures do not directly link to standards of care in a home.
“How the pandemic is being handled is under scrutiny by a number of Parliamentary Committees. It is essential that we learn from the events of the past 15 month so that we can uphold the highest standards of care across the country.
“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to care home workers who have been tirelessly fighting the Coronavirus this past year and a half, protecting our most vulnerable in society in exceptionally difficult circumstances.”