Care home staff in West Dunbartonshire have been treated “appallingly” during the coronavirus pandemic, according to an MSP.

Jackie Baillie, who is also deputy leader of Scottish Labour, has raised concerns about what she says are a low number of workers who have been tested for Covid-19.

The MSP has called for the immediate introduction of widespread local testing, as there is not a single testing hub accessible within West Dunbartonshire.

She said people are having to travel to centres in Glasgow and it’s “appalling” that some have even been referred more than 60 miles away to Dunoon.

Figures released recently show that, by May 18, only 7.65 per cent of social care workers had been tested.

The number of deaths in West Dunbartonshire care homes, as of May 24 was 58, compared to 53 in hospital and four at home.

Ms Baillie said: “It is simply not good enough that, after having months to test social care staff, the Scottish Government is now unable to meet their own testing target.

“Since March, calls for immediate and continuous testing of care home staff have come from across the political spectrum – as well as care home staff and family members of residents who have sadly passed away.

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“West Dunbartonshire’s social care sector has been hit particularly hard by Covid-19 and yet staff are still not properly protected and are being made to travel miles outwith the area to access a testing centre.

“Some have even been referred to Dunoon to be tested, which is ludicrous. The way that these vital key workers have been treated is appalling.”

West Dunbartonshire continues to have the second highest number of Covid-19 deaths per head of the population with recent figures showing there are 12.36 deaths per 10,000 people.

The MSP added: “Not nearly enough is being done to keep our elderly and vulnerable safe. Care home staff and residents need tested constantly if we are to fight this virus effectively. Families are still losing loved ones in our care homes and hospitals.

“We need immediate access to local testing facilities so that the public can protect themselves, and a review of the practice within care homes to ensure that no cross-contamination is occurring.”

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said that it was announced that, from May 25, work will begin to offer testing to care home staff regardless of whether the care home in which they work has a Covid-19 case.

The spokeswoman added: “Health boards and local health protection teams are working to ensure care homes are supported in the transition to this new increased testing regime and are prioritising testing needs based on clinical advice. We are engaging with them to offer support and to ensure that that this is done in a planned way, and in line with national guidance.”