NMC responds to data published by the Office for National Statistics on care home deaths

Commenting on today’s (Tuesday 28 April) data published by the Office for National Statistics on care home deaths, Andrea Sutcliffe CBE, Chief Executive and Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) said:

“As the numbers of people dying in hospital fall, today’s figures shine a devastating spotlight on the impact of Covid-19 in the wider community and on those living in the most vulnerable of circumstances. I send my sympathy and condolences to the families, carers and friends of everyone affected and to colleagues working in social care who I know will be devastated by the loss of people they have cared for, sometimes for many years.

“This pandemic has exacerbated the many issues that care homes, social care nursing and community services were already battling – including high vacancies, increased demand and the impact of a fragmented, disconnected system.

“It’s clear that social care is just as much the frontline of Covid-19 as the NHS. And that means, as we’ve always known at the NMC, the contribution of nurses and nursing associates working in social care is critical and the right support and recognition are absolutely vital.

“On behalf of all of us at the NMC, I thank them for everything they’re doing alongside their colleagues in the health service today, tomorrow and in the challenging weeks and months ahead.”

ENDS