Janet Finch-Saunders MS has echoed calls made by the Older People’s Commissioner for the Labour-led Welsh Government to publish an action plan to protect and support older people living in care homes in Wales.

Their calls came alongside the publication of a new report – Care Home Voices: A snapshot of life in care homes in Wales during COVID-19 – which highlighted the challenges faced by care home residents and staff have during the pandemic. The report is based on the experiences of older people living in care homes, their families and friends, and care home managers and staff.

Welsh Conservative Mrs Finch-Saunders – the Shadow Minister for Older People and Social Care – said:

“The way the Labour-led Welsh Government has managed the pandemic in care homes has been nothing short of scandalous. Seemingly every week during the pandemic, those in the care home sector – whether staff or residents – have been beset by unique, enormous, and disproportionate challenges including a lack of testing and care homes being hounded to accept residents discharged from hospital.

“The Labour-led administration must announce as a matter of urgency what steps it is already underway or planned to provide reassurance to people living and working in care homes, and their families.”

ENDS