The council has raised concerns to the government that local authorities are being asked to pick out care homes to discharge Covid-19 patients to.

Reading Borough Council (RBC) has written to the Department of Health and Social Care to express its ‘disappointment’ at the recent government request that local councils find places for coronavirus patients, pending the completion of self-isolation or a negative test.

Instead, the council believes developing local solutions – including allowing patients to return home with a tailored package of ‘wrap around’ care – would be the safer and more effective alternative.

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RBC leader Jason Brock said: “We are very clear that designating care homes for Covid positive patients, pending the completion of social isolation or a negative Covid-19 test, is neither the safest option, nor provides the best outcome for patients themselves.

“Alongside our NHS colleagues, care homes in Reading and everywhere have been at the forefront of the struggle against Covid.

“And while many homes are struggling financially, asking them to now take in Covid patients, and everything that entails in terms of planning, logistics and resources, is a huge additional task at a time of enormous pressure.

“That is particularly the case where a safer and more effective solution exists in the form of an appropriate package of care being provided at home.”

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The letter, signed by Seona Douglas, RBC’s executive director for Social Care & Health and other adult social care directors, states: “In Berkshire West we consider that it is not acceptable to ask care homes to take new admission patients who are tested positive for Covid-19 and are potentially infectious.

“This is based on our experiences earlier in the pandemic, which have left many care settings very worn down with the impact that this has had for the residents and their families, some suffering significantly.

“Many of our care homes would struggle to convert their premises to accommodate safely such patients without this affecting others, despite the measures many have put in place to manage the risks.”

RBC believes stretched resources at local care homes are better focused on providing the best possible care for existing residents and keeping them safe.

Councillor Tony Jones, Reading’s lead member for Adult Social Care, said care homes face an extremely difficult period ahead, without being asked to take on another huge burden.

He said he is also surprised that councils are being asked to provide care homes places for Covid patients but funding for this work is allocated to health partners.