A police investigation has been launched into the deaths of 22 residents at Fullarton Care Home in Irvine, North Ayrshire during the Covid pandemic. The care home was one of the worst affected in the early days of the health crisis in Scotland. Management and staff have been questioned as part of the investigation, which is being led by the major investigation team at Police Scotland. BBC Scotland News has reached out to the home’s operators, HC-One, for comment.
In May 2020, a special Crown Office unit was set up to examine Covid-linked deaths at 474 care homes in Scotland. Prosecutors will determine if the deaths should be the subject of a fatal accident inquiry or prosecution. According to data analyzed by BBC Scotland, 47% of the deaths from the virus in the North Ayrshire council area at the time could be attributed to Fullerton Care Home. The Care Inspectorate had previously issued the home with a “letter of serious concern,” which included observations of issues such as cleanliness and staff’s lack of understanding of infection control practices.
The watchdog found that there was inconsistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE) among the staff and some appeared to not understand or follow public health guidance in place at the time. It also found that the poor standard of cleanliness was not protecting the health, welfare, and safety needs of the care home residents.
Police Scotland’s assistant chief constable Bex Smith has acknowledged the difficulty and distress caused by the investigation to the families of the individuals who lost their lives due to the pandemic. She further stated that the force was supporting the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service review into deaths in care homes. As of now, several investigations have commenced at the request of COPFS
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