Today, Rachael Maskell MP called on the Leader of the House of Commons to list a debate regarding the impact of Covid-19 on residents in care homes, some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. Over the last few weeks, Ms Maskell has been listening to staff, whistle-blowers and relatives of residents about their experience of care in care homes, and has been deeply disturbed by her findings.

While some care homes in York have provided excellent care, this has not been the universal practice. Rachael’s work has led her to call on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to investigate some of the care homes in York due to poor care and practice taking place in care homes, to review governance and provide greater transparency. She believes that the Government must urgently address the failures in the care system, including in the Coronavirus Bill on the reporting and recording of deaths on death certificates.

The York Central MP has therefore called for an urgent debate today on these matters and is awaiting a meeting with the Minister to discuss the finding of her work so that action can be taken. The MP for York Central was very disappointed that the Government’s Leader of business in the House of Commons did not prioritise this issue, while far less pressing issues have been listed for debate over the last week before the summer recess.

Rachael Maskell said in the House of Commons today:

It is with deep sadness that my work over the last few weeks has exposed the significant risks of covid-19 to those in care homes in York: no PPE; no family visits; no GP visits; no Care Quality Commission inspections; agency staff not knowing residents; and poor oversight by the local authority. This has exposed and exacerbated the risk to the most vulnerable members of our community, increasing infection and mortality. This is very serious. Can we have a debate in Government time before the recess about social care during the pandemic, including a review of the Coronavirus Act 2020 and, most urgently, the way in which deaths are reported and recorded?”

 To read the full exchange as recorded by Hansard click here

To read the article on the York Press Website click here.