Context
Reports indicate that hospital patients who tested positive for covid-19 were discharged into care homes in Scotland, leading to a high death rate among care home residents.
Question
If he will hold discussions with the Scottish Government on reports that hospital patients who tested positive for covid-19 were subsequently discharged into care homes in Scotland. My brother-in-law's father contracted covid in a care home and passed away; Scotland has the highest care home death rate in the UK, and last month it was revealed that at least 37 hospital patients who had tested positive for coronavirus were discharged into care homes, which helped to turn them into breeding grounds for the virus.
Answer from Iain Stewart
The UK Government and the devolved Administrations regularly discuss all aspects of the coronavirus response. Public health and social care are devolved matters for the Scottish Government, but we do provide support to the devolved Administrations where necessary, including increasing testing capacity. First, may I extend my sympathy to the hon. Gentleman for his family's loss? There are so many examples where families are grieving because of the loss of loved ones. He raises a devolved matter, and I know that Scotland's Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport is looking at what caused this situation and that there will be an inquiry into it.
Not addressed: The specific reasons why discharges were allowed were not addressed.
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