Exclusive:

After @StefSimanowitz's thread yesterday, revealing the UK Government's plan to discharge COVID-19 postive patients back to care/ residential homes, documentation has emerged showing effectively the same policy still remains in place today. 1/5 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-adult-social-care-action-plan/covid-19-our-action-plan-for-adult-social-care

@StefSimanowitz's thread shows documents dated 02nd April 2020. However, the official Department of Health and Social Care policy paper, linked above, is dated 16th April 2020. Importantly, this is the most up-to-date version, meaning the policy is being followed to date. 2/5

Despite Coronavirus related deaths being rife in residential/ care homes (both residents and staff), official Government policy remains that potentially COVID positive patients are being discharged from hospital, without a negative test and whilst still infectious to others. 3/5

The document notes "Around two-thirds of people living in care homes for the over 65s are over 85 years old and it is estimated that around 70% will be living with dementia". With many staff absent, due to Coronavirus, this makes isolating such patients nearly impossible. 4/5

The paper also notes "the NHS expects to have sufficient capacity to provide this ongoing NHS care... for those who require it." It is unclear, with empty Nightingale hospitals, why the policy remains to discharge infectious COVID positive patients to care/ residential homes. 5/5