Alzheimer's Society responds to Government announcement to publish daily care home deaths
1 min read
Today Health Minister Matt Hancock announced that from tomorrow the Government will be publishing the number of coronavirus related deaths in care homes and in the community, alongside the number of those who died in hospital. In response to this announcement, Sally Copley, Director of Policy, Campaigns and Partnerships at Alzheimer’s Society said:
“Latest figures show just now many of the tragic coronavirus deaths are taking place outside of hospitals, so we are very pleased that the Government has listened to our call to publish daily figures on deaths in care homes and in the community. With 70% of care home residents and three fifths of people using home care having some form of dementia, this will make a massive difference to understanding the scale of the crisis in the neglected care sector. It’s imperative the Government use these updated figures to recognise the need and ensure the best protection for people with dementia from this deadly virus, as well as robust support for care homes to make sure people can keep in touch with their loved ones and don’t feel forgotten, right up to the end of their lives.”