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

Responding to figures published today (Tuesday) by the Office for National Statistics showing 1,800 care home deaths in the South East of England linked to coronavirus up to 8 May, UNISON South East regional secretary Steve Torrance said:

“This is a shocking price being paid by elderly and vulnerable people whose families believed they were being kept safe, and frankly heroic care staff who are being let down by a failing system.

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

“Staff looking after care home residents have in many ways been abandoned. They’ve struggled for months with protective equipment shortages, testing delays and inadequate guidance on how to keep themselves and their families safe.

“They are also at an elevated risk as a result of their vital work of contracting and dying from the disease.

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

Notes to editors:
-The union has launched a petition demanding the government step up and deliver on its promises around PPE and do much more to protect care staff and elderly people.
– ONS figures for registered deaths due to Covid-19 in the South East up to 8 May 2020 show the following for the region’s counties:

County

Care homes

Total

Berkshire

221

612

Buckinghamshire

179

471

East Sussex

137

375

Hampshire & IOW

378

1,033

Kent

233

939

Oxfordshire

211

427

Surrey

270

834

West Sussex

170

397

Total

1,799

5,088

– ONS data on Covid-19 related deaths by occupation shows care workers are among the highest affected groups of workers.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Kieran Pearson M: 07432 741595 E: k.pearson@unison.co.uk
National press office E: press@unison.co.uk