Devastated Dalkeith woman’s family upset at Covid care home move

Margaret Laidlaw, who was from Dalkeith and had vascular dementia, was in Drummond Grange nursing home in Lasswade for just three weeks before she died there on May 22 at the age of 65.

Her family said she was moved there from Highbank Care Home Dalkeith - an intermediate facility where she had lived for nine months - at the end of April, despite them raising fears about the virus and stressing she was healthy where she was.

The family pleaded for her move to be delayed for up to six weeks but say they were told by the council’s social work department she had to leave because of “bed blocking” and that her space at Drummond Grange might become unavailable.

Mrs Laidlaw’s son, Iain Laidlaw, said keepsakes and family photographs were sent to his mother, but none were put in her room at Drummond Grange and the only things in there were a TV and a blanket bought for her at Christmas.

The 30-year-old said: “I feel like they have made it so impersonal and have taken the fact she is a person away.

“I can not say it for certain, but I definitely feel she would still be alive if she had stayed in Highbank.

“I feel confident that their control of the virus would have been enough to keep my mum safe. We were happy with the carers in Highbank and felt it was an unnecessary risk moving her somewhere else.

“We feel we have been let down by the system and that people in the profession have not followed guidelines properly with infection control.”

A spokesperson for Midlothian Council confirmed it was investigating a complaint from the family but stressed it worked closely with patients and families to arrange a move and that appropriate consent procedures were always in place. The spokesperson added: “We would like to express our sincere condolences to the family.”

Covid-19 is listed as the cause of death on Mrs Laidlaw’s death certificate and a report has been sent to the Crown Office as part of a nationwide review into coronavirus related deaths in Scotland’s care homes.

This comes in the wake of a Care Inspectorate report which found “significant concerns” with the use and supply of PPE and infection prevention and control practice – including waste and laundry management – at Drummond Grange following an inspection on May 28.

A spokesperson for care home provider Barchester Healthcare has refuted these findings and said staff followed government guidance at all times and that, PPE stocks were full and staff trained and experienced in infection control.

But Mrs Laidlaw’s daughter said she feels like her mother has been “failed” by the system and is upset about a “lack of recognition” of her death from Drummond Grange.

Mrs Laidlaw was admitted to the nursing home on April 28th but her family wanted their mother’s move to be delayed by four to six weeks because it was the peak of the virus. However, they say they were told by the council’s health and social care team she had to move because of “bed blocking” and that there was a possibility she may lose her place at Drummond.

The Barchester spokesperson insisted that, after lengthy conversations with staff, Mrs Laidlaw did complete a 14-day isolation period and that new residents are cared for in line with Health Protection Scotland guidance on isolation and barrier nursing.

The family has lodged an official complaint with Midlothian Council, Barchester Healthcare and the Care Inspectorate in relation to what they describe as a “catalogue of errors” leading to their mother’s death.

A spokesperson for the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service said: “The Procurator Fiscal has received a report in connection with the death.

“The investigation into the death, under the direction of Covid-19 Death Investigation Team (CDIT), is ongoing and the family will continue to be kept updated in relation to any significant developments.”