A Devon nursing home where seven people died after contracting the coronavirus had “no option” but to ask infected staff to work due to staff shortages, a coroner's report has revealed.
The hearing included William Wilkinson (102 years old), Doris Lockett (92 years old), Roy Gilliam (96 years old), Jean Hartley (81 years old), Susan Skinner (70 years old), It was held after the deaths of Ronald Bumpfield (92 years old) and Stanislawa Koch (93 years old).
Evidence was given to Alison Longhorn at Exeter Coroner's Court following the death of a resident at Homesley Care Home in Sidford between March and April 2021.
The home's owner, Will Neale, told the hearing that he was “disturbed” by director Joanne Burchell's decision. The autopsy continues.
“I felt very anxious about this, but since I wasn't on the ground, Joanne Burchell said there were real dangers of suffocation and possible falls on the one hand, and exposure to coronavirus on the other. “I had to make a very difficult choice between the two,” he said.
“She felt it was less risky because there were two people who had already had coronavirus.
“I was pretty shocked by that conversation because it was very, very difficult and it was a decision that she made in the best interest of the residents and the overall safety.
“I didn't like it and didn't really want to do it, but it was her decision as a front-line care professional.”
Ms Neal said Ms Burchell told her the care worker would only be working with Covid-19 patients and would be working independently.
The inquest previously heard from the nursing home's deputy director, Gemma Turner, who claimed night nurses had refused to wear masks and claimed “coronavirus was a conspiracy”. Ta.
Neal said at the hearing that he regrets not firing the nurse who refused to wear a mask.
“I'm really upset and really disappointed,” he said.
Other staff claimed Mr Burchell cited shortages, did not send sick staff home and ignored positive lateral flow test results.
The hearing heard that Ms Burchell and a nurse who refused to wear a mask were arrested and questioned by police, but no further action was taken against them.
