A CLYDEBANK man has raised concerns regarding social distancing and the use of communal areas within Hill View Care Home following the news that nine residents have died from suspected Covid-19.

The Post understands that nine pensioners have passed away from the illness, while two staff members are also believed to have coronavirus and two further workers are showing symptoms.

The care home on Singer Road has not confirmed the number of deaths but said on Friday that 16 residents are displaying symptoms of Covid-19, and one has tested positive.

Keith Baldassara, 63, whose mum is currently a resident at the home, told the Post: “Sadly, these deaths are not just attributed to PPE. Care homes are not following the guidance from the Scottish Government on managing homes during Covid-19.

“For example, social distancing is emphasised in the guidance for residents as an essential measure to prevent the spread of the virus in care homes.

“The use of communal areas should be stopped or as minimum be used in less than 75 per cent of normal activity.

“Lunches should be staggered. However I am aware that when it comes to care, moving and handling, bathing and toileting then social distancing is impossible especially with a resident who has dementia with high needs.

“However, if residents are being encouraged and taken into communal areas unnecessarily then all areas of contact requires to be sanitised and that includes railings, walls, doors handles, tables, and so on.

“This is highly labour intensive and if this is not carried out then the virus will spread and this also includes the change of PPE equipment by staff after every session of support that takes place.

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“In Hill View, they are still using and herding residents into communal areas for dinner.

“Their social media page has lots of resident and staff group photos in late March up until April 10, in the very unit where there has been an outbreak and residents have died.

“I am not blaming staff as they are following management service plans but I would need to say that if I were a staff member I would refuse to follow these instructions if social distancing guidelines were being flouted. We need to promote social distancing and the Covid-19 guidelines as well as PPE or many elderly people who still have longevity in life will die unnecessarily in an undignified way without their loved ones”.

Mr Baldassara has been in touch with Clydebank’s MSP Gil Paterson to raise his concerns.

A spokesman for Hill View Care Home said: “Our dedicated staff are working tirelessly to protect all of our residents.

“It is widely accepted, by all public health bodies, that it is impossible to observe social distancing rules, designed for members of the general public, in a healthcare setting. It would be impossible to provide care if we did.

“Any residents who are showing symptoms consistent with Covid-19 are barrier-nursed and cared for in isolation within the home following strict infection control protocols.

“We have sufficient supplies of appropriate PPE at the home and this is worn in accordance with the latest guidance from Health Protection Scotland.

“It is worn in the clinical settings, where it is needed. If it is worn outside of these locations guidance makes it clear that this can actually increase the chance of virus transmission when moving back to infection-controlled areas.”

A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate passed on their condolences to the families affected and said social care staff were “working tirelessly under very difficult circumstances”.