Care home workers claim they're not getting regular tests as Covid deaths rise in Northamptonshire

Care home staff say they are still not getting the weekly Covid tests they were promised as the number of deaths rises sharply in Northamptonshire.

A survey by UNISON revealed nearly one in ten employees in residential care, who look after people aged over 65 and those with dementia, say they have not had regular swab checks.

Even those who do receive regular checks face delays getting results, says the public service workers' union.

More than one in twelve waited more than THREE DAYS to find out if they were infected or not. Some experienced hold-ups of more than a week – or did not get results at all.

One comment from 1,200 care workers across the East Midlands region — which also covers Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire — who took the survey anonymously said: "My place of work is only providing regular testing for staff with symptoms. Otherwise, we have to arrange our own tests.

"I booked an appointment, but they said you needed to pay for the test if you didn't have symptoms. So, I didn't do it."

"I'm constantly worried and stressed. I can't take any time off because I’m on a zero hours contract. If I did, I wouldn't be paid."

More than 20 per cent of those who reported delays in getting test results said this did not affect their work but a small number were forced to take time off unpaid or were put on to statutory sick pay.

READ THIS: County care homes back in spotlight after jump in coronavirus deathsDelays and lack of access to testing for care employees could be putting both them and residents at increased risk of infection, says UNISON, which is calling on the Government to set up a reliable monitoring system to ensure eligible staff are getting tested each week.

UNISON East Midlands regional secretary Chris Jenkinson said: “Regular testing is essential to protect care staff and those they look after.

“It’s a major concern they’re still being let down. A repeat of what happened during the first wave must be avoided at all costs. “

"Delays and lack of access to testing is putting workers, their families, and the people who depend on them at risk. Employers can’t afford to have staff off work – and workers can’t afford the hit financially.

“The Government must get a grip on testing, honour its promises and ensure care staff have proper access to checks. Care staff will be hoping that the rollout of the vaccine happens much more smoothly."

Other survey findings include 44 per cent of care staff – among them, workers visiting people in their own homes – said they had been unable to get a test within the previous four weeks because there were none available or only available at drive-through facilities.

Some also arrived at centres only to be told tests had run out.

The Government promised to test staff in care homes regularly back in June and homecare workers who visit patients have been receiving weekly tests since November 23, carrying out 41million tests since Test and Trace was launched in May.

A Department of Health spokesman said: “This survey appears to be mixing up categories of care workers to reach its conclusions and since it was launched more than two months ago we have rolled out further regular testing including to hospice and homecare workers.

“From the start of the pandemic we have been doing everything we can to keep care home staff protected including providing free priority testing and PPE.

“Thanks to an incredible amount of hard work and planning, hospitals across the country have also already begun vaccinating care home staff, as a priority.”