Responding to the publication by the Care Quality Commission of
data on death notifications involving COVID-19 received from
individual care homes in England between 10 April 2020 and 31
March 2021, Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local
Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said:
“Every life lost to COVID-19 is a tragedy
and it is heartbreaking for families who lost loved ones who were
living in care homes and unable to be as close to them in their
final moments, as we would all wish, due to
restrictions.
“This data is a solemn reminder of the
number of deaths experienced in care homes across the country
involving coronavirus. It is crucial to understand that these
numbers alone do not in themselves indicate a care home’s
quality, particularly given the potential influence of other
factors such as community transmission. It is also important that
care providers and their employees continue to receive all
support necessary in what is still a volatile and difficult
period.
“We must also reflect on the incredible
dedication and commitment of our social care workforce, many of
whom put themselves at risk, experiencing tragedy and loss of
their own.
“It is vital that this data and
everything else we have learnt during the pandemic is used to
improve our response and understanding about how best to support
people’s safety and wellbeing, as we look to build back
better.”
