‘The Welsh Government must explain the social care testing delay’ says Shadow Minister

The Shadow Minister for Social Care – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (June 3) has called for an explanation in the delay in the Welsh Government’s roll-out of social care testing.

The Welsh Government announced an expansion in social care testing on May 16, however the Mrs Finch-Saunders raised the fact that some care homes in North Wales will have to wait until at least June 8 until all residents and staff are tested.

She also stated that, on average, only eight nursing home or local authority workers were tested daily at the Llandudno testing site between April 29 and May 28

The situation in Welsh care homes has prompted the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales to refer the Welsh Government to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, highlighting the delay in testing as a key concern.

Speaking later, Mrs Finch-Saunders said:

“The delay in the Welsh Government’s social care testing roll out is nothing short of unacceptable. The collective ignorance because of this hold-up poses a very real threat to the health and well-being of residents and front-line staff.

“My concern is only amplified when you consider that Welsh Ministers have presided over a system that initially discharged patients from hospital into care homes without the appropriate Covid-19 tests taking place.

“I am dismayed at the consistent disparity in regional testing. It cannot be right that some care homes throughout North Wales will be waiting more than three weeks for tests.

“I have repeatedly urged Welsh Ministers to ensure that equality of testing prevails, regardless of setting or community size. It is about time that the Welsh Government backs up its otherwise hollow words with tangible actions.

“We need to know where the Covid-19 cases are, so as to fully understand the seriousness of the disease here in North Wales, which is already one of the worst affected areas in Wales.”