Council strongly advises local care homes not to use rapid test kits

Rochdale Borough Council has strongly advised care homes across the borough not to use Covid-19 lateral flow tests for visitors because of serious concerns about their accuracy.

The council stepped in after the government announced the tests were now available to allow care home visiting to take place across all tiers from 2 December.

The number of tests kits being supplied has been modelled to allow up to two visitors per resident, visiting twice a week, managed by care homes. The government says if friends and family receive a negative result prior to visiting, they will be able to visit relatives in care homes – observing infection prevention and control procedures with minimised contact to reduce risk of transmission.

But Rochdale Council’s chief executive, Steve Rumbelow, said the council was not satisfied that the test technology, set out by the Department for Health and Social Care, was fit for purpose in care settings.

He warned that the lateral flow tests, which can give results as quickly as 30 minutes, can fail to detect the virus, potentially exposing some of the borough’s most vulnerable people to infection.

Lateral flow tests do not require a laboratory to get the results, with the government asking on-site staff to carry out swabbing and processing.

The chief executive added that the council’s decision would ensure already stretched local care homes could prioritise care and support for residents.

Mr Rumbelow said: “These tests might be much-hailed, but we have serious concerns about how effective they will be, particularly as they seem to show an unacceptably high risk of missing the virus. We have been working with colleagues across Greater Manchester to put in place a safe testing regime, along with support for care homes, in the delivery of what is a complex process.

“At this crucial stage in our fight against coronavirus infection rates, the last thing we want to do is potentially expose vulnerable residents and staff to Covid-19.

“I know the lateral flow tests have been trailed as helping care home visiting but we already have a covid secure visiting policy in place across the borough, which doesn’t compromise safety. Why risk throwing everything away, just to row in behind a decision that seemed rushed and badly thought out.

“Local care homes we have spoken to are very grateful and supportive of our decision, ensuring they can prioritise care and staff resources where they are needed most. We have come so far in tackling this virus, I think answers about the accuracy of these tests need answering before we proceed across the care sector.

“The reality on the ground is very different from that painted by the government and, as we have done throughout, we will take decisions in the best interests of our most vulnerable residents, so let’s just pause and ensure the protective blanket around care home residents is not removed too early risking lives and compromising care standards.”

If anyone planning to visit a care home develops symptoms they must of course cancel the visit, self-isolate and get a test. In addition, the government is expanding regular Covid-19 testing to all CQC inspectors to help support their ongoing work.

The programme will be continuously reviewed.

The government is also publishing new guidance allowing some residents under 65 to spend time with their families at Christmas outside of care homes.

Working-age residents may be able to join their families in their homes subject to an individual risk assessment, a negative test before leaving and a period of self-isolation upon return. However, they may only form a bubble with one other household and should not form a three-household Christmas bubble at any point.

All care homes currently registered on the PPE portal will be sent a one-off push totalling 11.5 million aprons, 23 million gloves and 11.7 million masks, with the first care homes having received them this week.

Social care providers can currently access free Covid-19 PPE supplies by accessing the government’s PPE portal.

In the event of an outbreak in a care home, or evidence of community hotspots or outbreaks, care homes should rapidly impose visiting restrictions to protect vulnerable individuals.