Department of Health says residents transferred to hospital – including for COVID-19 – should be readmitted as soon as they are well enough – no testing required

In the UK, a number of coronavirus outbreaks in aged care homes resulted from patients being discharged from hospitals into homes without being tested for COVID-19. But the official guidance from the Department of Health here is for any resident – including those that have been treated for coronavirus – to be discharged into the home as soon as they are well enough. The guidelines state that residents admitted from other health facilities should be assessed by appropriate medical staff prior to admission to the home, with new residents with COVID-19 compatible symptoms barred from entering. However, there is no requirement for COVID-19 testing to take place. We can’t help but be reminded of this lesson from Tom Lyons, the Managing Director of UK provider, Black Swan. One of their two outbreaks came from a resident returning from hospital who was isolated for seven days after being brought to the home as per the Government’s guidelines. On the eighth day, they showed symptoms.