Devon nursing home 'told carer with Covid to work'

The home's owner said he was "shell-shocked" when he was told the business had "no choice" but to ask staff with Coronavirus to work

A Devon nursing home where seven people died after contracting Covid-19 was "left with no choice" but to ask to a staff member with the virus to work because of staff shortages, an inquest heard.

The hearing comes following the deaths of William Wilkinson, 102, Doris Lockett, 92, Roy Gilliam, 96, Jean Hartley, 81, Susan Skinner, 70, Ronald Bampfylde, 92, and Stanislawa Koch, 93.

Evidence was presented to Alison Longhorn at Exeter Coroner’s Court after the residents of Holmesley Care Home in Sidford died between March and April 2021.

The home's owner, Will Neal, told the hearing he "felt uneasy" about the decision made by manager Joanne Burchell. The inquest continues.

'Shell-shocked'

"I felt very uneasy about this, but I was not on the ground and Joanne Burchell had to make the very hard choice between the real dangers, possibly choking or falling, on one hand, and Covid exposure on the other," he said.

"With two people who were already Covid-positive, she felt that seemed like the less risk.

"I was quite shell-shocked by the conversation because it was very, very difficult. She made the decision she made in the best interests and overall safety of the residents.

"I didn’t like it and didn’t really want to do it but it was her decision as the care professional on the ground."

Mr Neal said Mrs Burchell had told him the care worker would be working on his own and only with patients with Covid-19.

The inquest previously heard from Jemma Turner, the nursing home’s deputy manager, who alleged a night-time nurse refused to wear a facemask and was claiming “Covid was a conspiracy”.

Mr Neal told the hearing he regretted not dismissing the nurse who had refused to wear a mask.

"I feel really upset and I feel really disappointed," he said.

Other staff alleged Ms Burchell had not sent sick staff home due to shortages and had ignored positive lateral flow tests results.

The hearing heard that Ms Burchell and the nurse who refused to wear a mask were both arrested and interviewed by the police but no further action was taken against them.