Revealed: The number of residents who have died from Covid in every care home in York and North Yorkshire

Shocking new figures have revealed how many care home residents in York and North Yorkshire have died from Covid-19.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) today finally published a breakdown of the number of deaths in individual care homes from coronavirus between 10 April 2020 and 31 March 2021.

In total, more than 39,000 care home residents died with coronavirus in England in the year from 10 April 2020 to 31 March 2021, the figures reveal. Hugh Alderwick from the Health Foundation charity, told the Independent that the figures show “the grim toll that the pandemic has taken on people in care homes”.

He added: “Central government support for social care during the pandemic was often too little, too late, particularly during the first wave.

“The government’s claim of ‘a protective ring’ around care homes was not grounded in reality.”

A CQC spokesperson said: “The impact of the pandemic on people who draw on and work in adult social care services has been devastating and despite the best efforts of staff, Covid-19 has contributed to a significant increase in the number of deaths in nursing and residential care settings.

“It is important to note that death notifications do not in themselves indicate poor quality care, particularly given the potential influence of variable factors, including rates of local community transmission, size of the care home, and the age and health and care needs of the people living there.”

The local numbers

The figures show that there have been a total of 148 Covid-19 deaths across 24 care homes in York.

The homes with the highest coronavirus toll are Meadowbeck with 22 deaths and Minster Grange with 21.

Meadowbeck, on Meadowbeck Close, Osbaldwick, has an overall ‘Good’ rating from the CQC. When it last inspected the home in July 2020, it was caring for 52 people aged 65 and over.

But Minster Grange on Haxby Road was the subject of a damning CQC report in May this year, when it was rated inadequate. This deemed the home unsafe and insecure, and found that the residents were fed sandwiches and soup every night for a week.

It had 58 residents at the time of the inspection.

Covid deaths in York care homes

Data shows death notifications involving COVID-19 received from individual care homes between 10 April 2020 and 31 March 2021

In North Yorkshire, 516 residents have died from Covid-19 across 88 care homes. The home with the largest death toll was Craven Nursing Home in Skipton with 24.

It has a ‘Good’ rating from CQC and had 68 residents at its last inspection in December.

Covid deaths in North Yorkshire care homes

Data shows death notifications involving COVID-19 received from individual care homes between 10 April 2020 and 31 March 2021