Care home deaths expose social care system ‘unfit for purpose’, says UNISON

“This is a shocking price paid by elderly and vulnerable people whose families believed they were being kept safe.

“These deaths show the government’s failure to support those in society who are most in need of care.

“Staff looking after these residents have effectively been abandoned too. They’ve struggled with protective equipment shortages, testing delays and inadequate guidance on how to keep themselves safe.

“The Covid-19 crisis has exposed a social care system that’s unfit for purpose. A complete overhaul is needed once the pandemic passes to ensure no one is left unprotected again.”