Last month, The Almshouse Association wrote to Helen Whately MP, Minister of State for Care, calling for almshouses to have access to testing for coronavirus as testing was due to be rolled out to care homes. Since writing the initial letter, the rollout of tests has been delayed, with full rollout now expected next month.
However, we are pleased that the minister has responded to our
letter and has assured us that the Government, the Scientific Advisory Group
for Emergencies, Public Health England and others agree that:
āsome supported-living and extra-care facilities share similarities
with care homes in terms of care and risksā¦[and that] The Government will roll
out an initial round of testing for staff and residents in the settings that
meet certain risk-based criteriaā
The Almshouse Association welcomes the response from the minister
which provides reassurance that coronavirus testing will be based on risk. We
will continue to push for almshouses to be seen as high risk settings which
require regular access to Coronavirus testing. Ā
Members may also like to know that the minister expressed her āimmense
gratitude for the care being provided in almshouses, particularly during this
pandemic.āĀ
You can keep up to date with the latest Coronavirus news here.
10th August 2020