This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-52284281

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Coronavirus: How big is the problem in care homes? Coronavirus: How big is the problem in care homes?
(1 day later)
The government has promised to step up testing for coronavirus in care homes where symptoms of the virus have been found.The government has promised to step up testing for coronavirus in care homes where symptoms of the virus have been found.
But is it possible to get accurate figures about the scale of the problem?But is it possible to get accurate figures about the scale of the problem?
How many deaths have there been in care homes?How many deaths have there been in care homes?
This is difficult to calculate - there are more than 15,000 care homes in England, compared with about 200 hospitals. This is difficult to calculate - there are more than 15,000 care homes in England, compared with about 200 hospitals trusts.
There is a two-week time lag in the data collected for official statistics. The most recent figures from the Office for National Statistics are for the week ending 10 April. At that point, there had been 1,042 Covid-19-related deaths in care homes in England and Wales. There is a two-week time lag in the data collected for official statistics. The most recent figures from the Office for National Statistics are for the week ending 10 April. At that point, there had been 1,043 Covid-19-related deaths in care homes in England and Wales.
This means that about 10% of all COVID-19 deaths to that point had occurred in care homes - a high proportion, considering they house less than 1% of the country's population.This means that about 10% of all COVID-19 deaths to that point had occurred in care homes - a high proportion, considering they house less than 1% of the country's population.
But figures from the National Care Forum (NCF), which represents not-for-profit care homes and 7.4% of individuals in residential and nursing homes, suggests the figure could be much higher. However, estimates from the National Care Forum (NCF) suggest as many as 4,000 could have died.
It said that, up to 13 April, there had been 299 deaths linked to coronavirus across those specific homes. The NCF research includes confirmed and suspected cases of Covid-19, the latter of which isn't always picked up by the ONS data.
From this they estimated that nationally, the number could be as high as 4,040 deaths. Time delays in official statistics has led some politicians to call for efforts to be made to provide daily figures, as with hospital deaths, and to include suspected deaths.
The NCF research includes confirmed and suspected cases of Covid-19. Until recently only the first few people with symptoms in each care home were tested to confirm the virus. Not all suspected cases will be recorded in official statistics England's care regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), along with the ONS, are working to produce data which include suspected, as well as confirmed, deaths.
The time delay in these statistics has led some politicians to call for efforts to be made to provide daily figures, as with hospital deaths. Preliminary findings suggest a further 1,000 people died in care homes between 10 and 15 April alone. The complete findings will be released on 28 April.
In Scotland, nearly a quarter of the 962 coronavirus deaths recorded up to 12 April were in care homes. In Scotland, a third of the 1,616 deaths recorded up to 19 April were in care homes.
Northern Ireland's statistics body doesn't currently provide this breakdown.Northern Ireland's statistics body doesn't currently provide this breakdown.
England's care home regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), already has to be notified when there is a death in a care home. It is also now asking care providers to give daily updates on deaths and the number of confirmed and suspected coronavirus cases.England's care home regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), already has to be notified when there is a death in a care home. It is also now asking care providers to give daily updates on deaths and the number of confirmed and suspected coronavirus cases.
How many people live in care homes?How many people live in care homes?
Most care homes in the UK are privately run, and there is no official data on the exact number of residents.Most care homes in the UK are privately run, and there is no official data on the exact number of residents.
The CQC says there are 15,517 residential and nursing homes providing support for older and disabled people in England, with an estimated 457,361 beds available.The CQC says there are 15,517 residential and nursing homes providing support for older and disabled people in England, with an estimated 457,361 beds available.
Occupancy rates seem to be about 90% which would suggest there are about 411,000 people living in care homes in England and Wales.Occupancy rates seem to be about 90% which would suggest there are about 411,000 people living in care homes in England and Wales.
At the 2011 census, 60% of the elderly care home population were 85 or older - but this is now likely to be higher, given the ageing population.At the 2011 census, 60% of the elderly care home population were 85 or older - but this is now likely to be higher, given the ageing population.
How many people receive care in their own homes?How many people receive care in their own homes?
Each week in the UK, it is estimated that 540,000 people receive support in their own home. That adds up to a million home-care visits happening each day.Each week in the UK, it is estimated that 540,000 people receive support in their own home. That adds up to a million home-care visits happening each day.
What's provided on these visits can range from help going to the toilet, to preparing a meal or support with medication.What's provided on these visits can range from help going to the toilet, to preparing a meal or support with medication.
Care workers can at times see up to 20 clients during a day. This has raised concerns about the danger of spreading coronavirus if the workers do not have enough personal protective equipment (PPE).Care workers can at times see up to 20 clients during a day. This has raised concerns about the danger of spreading coronavirus if the workers do not have enough personal protective equipment (PPE).
How much PPE do social care staff have?How much PPE do social care staff have?
The government's advice to care homes on personal protective equipment (PPE) is almost identical to that given to hospital workers - they should have single-use disposable gloves, aprons and face masks.The government's advice to care homes on personal protective equipment (PPE) is almost identical to that given to hospital workers - they should have single-use disposable gloves, aprons and face masks.
Care providers have been saying for some weeks that it is difficult to get enough of these items to keep their staff and clients safe.Care providers have been saying for some weeks that it is difficult to get enough of these items to keep their staff and clients safe.
The government says it has already delivered seven million items of PPE, meaning every registered care home should have received 300 face masks each.The government says it has already delivered seven million items of PPE, meaning every registered care home should have received 300 face masks each.
ON 6 April, 34 million items of PPE were authorised to be released to care homes via local authorities (although some equipment was earmarked for other key services).ON 6 April, 34 million items of PPE were authorised to be released to care homes via local authorities (although some equipment was earmarked for other key services).
These items include eight million aprons, four million masks and 20 million pairs of gloves.These items include eight million aprons, four million masks and 20 million pairs of gloves.
The government has also released £1.6bn of funding to local authorities - which are in charge of providing social care - with instructions that most of this should reach the adult social-care sector.The government has also released £1.6bn of funding to local authorities - which are in charge of providing social care - with instructions that most of this should reach the adult social-care sector.
On 22 April, the government said 15 social care staff had died from coronavirus.
How many tests are being carried out in care homes?How many tests are being carried out in care homes?
There is no current breakdown, but the government has now announced that as laboratory capacity increases, all care home residents who develop symptoms will be tested.There is no current breakdown, but the government has now announced that as laboratory capacity increases, all care home residents who develop symptoms will be tested.
So far, only the first five residents in a care home who show symptoms of coronavirus are tested to confirm whether there is an outbreak within a home.So far, only the first five residents in a care home who show symptoms of coronavirus are tested to confirm whether there is an outbreak within a home.
Patients returning to care homes from hospitals will also be tested for Covid-19, even if they have no symptoms.Patients returning to care homes from hospitals will also be tested for Covid-19, even if they have no symptoms.
Are staff being tested?Are staff being tested?
Testing was made available to social-care staff just before Easter.Testing was made available to social-care staff just before Easter.
To date, the government has tested 1,000 care staff and is due to test a further 1,000 who are currently self-isolating.To date, the government has tested 1,000 care staff and is due to test a further 1,000 who are currently self-isolating.
The government has said as capacity increases it will roll this out so that every care worker who needs a test can get one.The government has said as capacity increases it will roll this out so that every care worker who needs a test can get one.
The care sector has always struggled to recruit enough staff because of its reputation for low pay and a lack of recognition - it's estimated that there are currently 122,000 full-time equivalent vacancies in England.The care sector has always struggled to recruit enough staff because of its reputation for low pay and a lack of recognition - it's estimated that there are currently 122,000 full-time equivalent vacancies in England.
Those problems have been made more acute with staff having to self-isolate if they or a member of their family have shown potential symptoms.Those problems have been made more acute with staff having to self-isolate if they or a member of their family have shown potential symptoms.
Some care providers have reported having at least a quarter of their staff off as a result.Some care providers have reported having at least a quarter of their staff off as a result.
The government says it aims to recruit 20,000 extra social care staff over the next three months.The government says it aims to recruit 20,000 extra social care staff over the next three months.