Omicron: Sturgeon urges Johnson to ‘do what’s necessary’

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Revealed exclusively by the Scottish Daily Express, at the start of the Covid pandemic, at least 1,300 elderly hospital patients were sent to care homes without being tested for the virus. Along with former Health Secretary Jeane Freeman, Ms Sturgeon stated the move was a “mistake,” and apologised at the time. However, a prominent lawyer representing families whose relatives died in care homes has said it is “entirely feasible” the pair could be charged over their role.

Solicitor Advocate Professor Peter Watson also criticised an apparent failure by SNP ministers to introduce appropriate protections against infection in care homes following the outbreak of COVID-19, with 3,292 deaths in care homes recorded between March and April 8 2020.

Speaking on Wednesday, Professor Watson added: “On behalf of the families who lost loved ones in care homes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we welcome the announcement that there will be an inquiry led by Lady Poole.”

The Professor said: “The crucial aspect of this inquiry is the fact that the Lord Advocate has the power to determine if any crimes have been committed.”

He added: “The instruction to transfer patients from hospitals back into care homes without any risk assessment, testing, or understanding of the consequences will be an area of particular concern to bereaved families.”

Professor Watson, who represented the families of 16 pupils in the Dunblane Primary School massacre, continued: “The First Minister and former cabinet secretary for health have previously admitted that mistakes were made. It is entirely feasible that criminal charges may be brought.”

He said: “We have reported our concerns in the past and will continue to press the Crown for answers.”

The professor added: “This is now an opportunity for everyone affected by the failures in the care home sector, failures in the role and function of the Care Inspectorate and in the provision of medical services to care home residents to come forward and take part in this inquiry.”

This afternoon, former Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill called for action to see those responsible brought to justice.

The now Alba Party politician and QC, said: “While due process must be followed and a full enquiry expedited we should never lose sight of the fact that the families who have lost loved ones need justice to be done and for it to be seen to be done.”

Recently, the First Minister has introduced a series of steps and guidance for care homes in Scotland.

It comes as the first people with Omicron in Scotland have been admitted to hospitals.

The SNP leader said the new strain was “increasing exponentially – faster than any variant that has gone before it”.

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In a statement to the Scottish Parliament about COVID-19, Ms Sturgeon said two people who are known to be infected with the variant have now been admitted to hospital.

She told MSPs: “We expect it to become the dominant strain within days.”

On care home and hospital visiting the First Minister said: “We will continue to consider appropriate protective measures for people in institutional settings – such as care homes – while ensuring that visits can continue.”

She added: “Last week we recommended that care staff take lateral flow tests on a daily basis.”

Ms Sturgeon also said: “We are also now recommending that individual visits in care homes should not involve any more than 2 households visiting any patient at a time. And we are asking anyone visiting a care home to test before every visit.”

The First Minister ended by saying: “For hospitals, we are recommending that no more than 2 people visit a patient at any one time. And again, we are recommending a lateral flow test before each visit.”

So far, there have been 562 cases of the Omicron variant detected in Scotland.

In the last 24 hours, Scotland has recorded another 265 cases of the Omicron variant and 22 deaths relating to coronavirus.

Some 61,011 tests were carried out in total and of those which reported results, 9.1 percent were positive.

Yesterday 38 people were in intensive care with recently confirmed coronavirus and 544 people were in hospital in total.

To date, 4,364,802 people have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination, 3,981,180 have received their second dose, and 2,254,406 have received a third dose or booster.

Additional reporting by Richard Percival

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