A CARE home in Whitstone is concerned that the report published by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) last week, which stated they had one COVID death, is misleading and provides no context.

In the full report, the CQC presents data on the number of death notifications involving COVID-19 of care home residents alongside Government data on all COVID-19 deaths. However, St Anne’s Residential Home has since contacted the CQC to have this data altered.

It was stated that the home had one COVID death, however, the team has since proven that this had only been noted as a ‘suspected case’ at the time as the resident in question had unfortunately passed away before his negative test results were received.

Registered manager Emma Woolf explained: “Recently, the Care Quality Commission, (CQC) contacted us, as a care provider, to inform us that they were publishing all data relating to COVID-19 deaths for the period 10/04/20 to 31/03/21.

“The data received from the CQC attributed one death for this period at St Anne’s Residential Home, which was recorded as ‘suspected COVID-19’.

“This was recorded in April 2020 —which was at the start of the pandemic. We did have a single confirmed case of COVID-19 in the home at this time, however can thankfully report that this resident has made a full recovery, and is still enjoying her life with us today.

“Sadly, we also lost a very dear resident at this time, when our resources, and testing facilities were not as they are now, and he unfortunately passed away prior to his test results being received back. When the results were received, they were in fact negative, and COVID-19 was not stated on his death certificate.”

Emma said she had been shocked to see the data in the local press and had contacted the CQC straight away to get it rectified and ensure no further confusion.

She said: “I have subsequently contacted the CQC, and asked for their data to be amended to reflect this anomaly, as although it was ‘suspected’ it was not the cause of death, and this is not clear within the data published.

“I would like to make it very clear to all the families who trust us in caring for their loved ones, that I have not been dishonest regarding this matter —we have always been open and honest with all who have had any relationship with St Anne’s Residential Home.

“The past eighteen months have been a very challenging time to be working in the health and social care sector. I have been very fortunate in having had huge support from my team of staff — who I am honoured, and proud to be manager of. I could not have managed without them. We have been fortunate not to have lost anyone to COVID-19, and are fully aware that the virus is still present, and that there is no room for complacence.“I also appreciate that not everyone has been as fortunate, and hugely honour and respect everyone who has remained working within care throughout this pandemic —they truly are heroes!”

Confirming, Amanda Stride, CQC’s head of inspection for Adult Social Care, said: “Care home providers were asked to submit a form to notify CQC of all COVID-19 deaths, whether confirmed or suspected. It appears there was an admin error in the reporting of a death at St Anne’s Residential Home in Whitstone. This has now been rectified to confirm that person who sadly died there, did not die of COVID-19.”