Police probe deaths of 22 care home residents during pandemic

Police are investigating the deaths of 22 residents at a North Ayrshire care home during the pandemic. Management and staff are being questioned at Fullarton Care Home in Irvine, which was one of the worst hit by Covid. Police Scotland's Major Investigations Team is also speaking to the families of the deceased.

A Care Inspectorate report issued in May 2020 had raised issues around hygiene, infection control and inconsistent use of PPE in Fullarton Care Home. A dedicated Crown Office unit, the Covid-19 Death Investigation Team, was set up in May 2020 to examine deaths linked to Covid at 474 care homes in Scotland. Prosecutors will then determine if the deaths should be subject to a fatal accident inquiry or prosecution.

Assistant Chief Constable Bex Smith said: "We understand how upsetting and difficult this is for the many families who lost loved ones as a result of the COVID pandemic. "Police Scotland is supporting the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) review into deaths in care homes. "While we continue to gather information, a number of investigations have now commenced at the request of COPFS.

"As the investigations are ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment further."

HC-One has been contacted for comment.

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