WORKERS at care homes across East Renfrewshire have been praised for putting their own safety at risk to help others during the coronavirus crisis.

Barrhead’s MSP Tom Arthur hailed staff for the “heroic lengths” they are going to in order to protect the elderly people they look after.

He highlighted their bravery as it was revealed more than a third of all Covid-19 deaths in East Renfrewshire have taken place in care homes.

Last week figures from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) showed a total of 35 people in the local area had lost their lives to coronavirus up to April 19.

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Of those, 12 deaths were in care homes, with 22 hospital deaths and one at home.

A total of 11 residents at Westacres care home, in Newton Mearns, have died of suspected Covid-19, ranging in age from 87 to 104.

Mr Arthur, who represents Renfrewshire South, has expressed his “deepest sympathies” to those who have lost loved ones.

He said: “This devastating virus disproportionately affects our elderly and most vulnerable and I am acutely aware of the impact this has had on care homes.

“The staff have my sincere gratitude for the work they are doing to care for their residents, with many going to heroic lengths to protect those they look after.

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“These statistics are an incredibly sad indication of the impact that Covid-19 has, reflected proportionately in countries across Europe and the rest of the world.”

Last week, the Barrhead News told how the owner of one East Renfrewshire care home had warned the sector is facing a “tsunami wave” of coronavirus cases.

Robert Kilgour also called for increased testing for social care staff, adding that action taken by the government so far was “too little, too late.”

He owns Renaissance Care, which runs 15 care homes across Scotland, including Whitecraigs, in Stewarton Road, Thornliebank.

Age Scotland wants more action to protect care home residents from Covid-19.

The charity said help is urgently required to protect staff and residents, with residents given fair and equal access to treatment and not “written off” if they contract the virus.

Brian Sloan, Age Scotland chief executive, added: “It must be absolutely terrifying for residents, staff and families as they wonder where the next outbreak will be.

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“These are not just statistics – each one is a mother, father, grandparent, sibling or friend who will be deeply missed.

“It is so important that older people in care homes or who are receiving social care in their own home are given every opportunity to get the medical treatment they need to beat this virus and are not written off.

“Every person’s life matters and many older people have made full recoveries with the right treatment. Decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis, and any blanket policies based on a person’s age or residence would be blatant discrimination.

“We urgently need to redouble efforts to protect the most vulnerable people and ensure that care homes are not treated as a second tier. Staff on the frontlines must be supported with access to all of the lifesaving equipment they need, as well as more widespread testing.”

Meanwhile, bosses at Westacres are hoping they have turned the corner in the fight against Covid-19.

They revealed there have been no new cases of the disease there in recent days.Westacres, in Newton Mearns, has lost 11 residents since the country was first put on lockdown, ranging in age from 87 to 104.

But Newark Care, the charity which runs the home, said there are now just two cases still to be formally checked off as recovered - and no new cases.

CEO Jack Ryan told the Barrhead News they wait 14 days after to ensure the virus is gone and were hoping the home would be clear of coronavirus this week.

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He said: “We’re keeping our fingers crossed.”

The home struggled to get sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff initially, with donations being made from dental surgeries and 3D printers.

Workers were also kept from testing until last week, more than a month into the crisis.

A third of all coronavirus deaths in East Renfrewshire have been at care homes as of April 19, according to figures published last week.