When this virus is over, the state should take over private sector care homes

Frequently the CEO of the Independent Health Care Providers is on the BBC deploring the lack of PPE and the struggles of the homes with coronavirus and Staff Shortages.

I am sure that along with many others I find this puzzling as the private care homes are run as businesses, typically by either wealthy individuals or by companies.

They charge each resident from £2500 upwards per month and often all they provide is board and lodgings.

Many employ young adults and foreign nationals, often paying them the minimum wage for long hours.

Over the past two years alone we have had some scandals over the way these homes are run as well as, in some cases, ill treatment of residents.

In light of this whose responsibility is it to staff these care homes and provide them with medical PPE fit for purpose? My belief is that it is the owners of the care homes who are responsible for this.

It now seems that the health service is providing them with medical PPE and is about to loan them NHS staff to help run the homes.

As these are privately run businesses then surely the cost of medical PPE and the loaned health service staff must be recouped from the individuals/companies running the homes.

Finally I believe that after the deadly battle with coronavirus is over and we return to normality then those care homes in the private sector should be taken back into state ownership to ensure better treatment of the vulnerable elderly.

Tom Nash, Derriaghy