Pausing testing

Today the Government announced that it would be pausing asymptomatic testing across remaining settings, including care settings and hospitals, from 31 August.

This policy has been rushed through with no consultation and without sharing the data on whether asymptomatic testing is helping to keep people in care safe. This could lead to COVID cases being undetected, and staff inadvertently putting residents and their colleagues at risk. It could also lead to more severe outbreaks in care settings, which would be more difficult to bring under control, resulting in longer lockdown periods.

It is baffling why the Government has chosen to halt this testing whilst keeping in place universal rules on wearing face masks in care settings. Our helpline hears how masks continue to cause distress to people with dementia, hinder communication for older people with hearing loss and make their home feel like an institution.

Deborah was placed in isolation and the visits from her husband stopped after he lowered his mask to take a sip of water. Despite the visit being outside, on a particularly hot day. Deborah was placed in isolation, until her daughter reminded the home of her mum’s legal rights. Read more here.

Helen Wildbore, director of R&RA, said:

“Even two and half years in, the Government continues to mismanage this pandemic, failing to protect the wellbeing and rights of people living in care.”

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