Marie Curie responds to latest ONS figures

Today’s Office for National Statistics figures on deaths involving Covid-19 show that 7,316 people in England & Wales died in care homes in the week ending 17 April, with 28% of those deaths involving the virus. Since lockdown began, more than 3,000 people have died from Covid-19 in care homes in England & Wales – two-thirds of those in the single week ending April 17.

In response, Simon Jones, the Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Marie Curie, said:

“Today’s data confirms what we all feared. With two thirds of all care home deaths from Covid-19 being accounted for in the week ending April 17, it is clear now that the epicentre of this crisis is in care homes – where the most vulnerable live and where staff, who are no doubt caring, committed and dedicated, are least equipped to manage death on this scale.

“These figures show how hard Covid-19 continues to hit the care home sector but also how it is now threatening its very existence. 

“Long-standing funding issues already meant that many care homes were struggling to keep their heads above water. While the sector is under enormous pressure right now in terms of managing the number of people dying, it is a sad fact that Covid-19 may end up suppressing demand for care home beds in the medium to long-term – meaning many may be forced to close. 

“Sadly, it may be the case that by the time we’ve passed the worst of the pandemic, many of those who would eventually have received care in a care home will have died from the virus. Dementia – which accounts for an ever-growing proportion of care home residents – is among the most common pre-existing health conditions of those who are dying with Covid-19.    

“The longer-term impact on care homes that this crisis is causing must be addressed urgently if they are going to be able to meet the needs of our ageing population in the years to come. 

“The immediate needs that Covid-19 has created in care home can’t detract from the need to debate how we secure their future. If that conversation is neglected now, it will only create bigger problems further down the line.”