Lack of statutory clinical oversight of care for residents in private nursing homes is one of the “biggest weaknesses” exposed by Covid-19, an Oireachtas committee has found. The Special Committee on Covid-19 Response is calling for urgent action to protect nursing homes in the event of a second wave of the coronavirus. Committee chairman, Deputy Michael McNamara, said deaths in nursing homes accounted for 56% of all deaths, a statistic that showed how older and more vulnerable people were disproportionately affected. The recommendation is among 19 made in the Interim Report on Covid-19 in Nursing Homes. 'Indefensible'A review of the nursing home sector had "tightened up" the discharge of patients from acute hospitals to nursing homes through testing and isolation procedures.

Source: Irish Examiner July 31, 2020 16:18 UTC