RESIDENTS on Skye are relieved the NHS is playing a greater role in running a care home which has been hit by a deadly coronavirus outbreak, the island's MP Ian Blackford has said.
Seven residents have died at Home Farm care home in Portree amid the outbreak, while 30 residents and 29 staff have tested positive for Covid-19.
Yesterday, the Care Inspectorate lodged a court bid to cancel the registration of the home's operators HC-One, which could prevent it from running the facility.
The regulator said it had "serious and significant concerns" about the quality of care in the home following an unannounced inspection this week.
READ MORE: Coronavirus: Sixth resident dies from Covid-19 at Skye care home
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, Blackford said people on Skye have been very worried about the situation.
He said: "I think of course there are legitimate questions that have to be put as to what's been happening with HC-One and the running of this home, and that's been borne out by the Care Inspectorate report.
"So I think the fact that the population here can see that NHS Highland are taking a leadership role in partnership with the company and running the operation there - it's going to be a sense of relief more than anything else."
He said NHS Highland has been involved in looking after the home's residents over the last few weeks but will now take on a more active role.
Inspectors had highlighted concerns about infection control measures and the numbers of staff available, he said, which would be addressed "in the fullness of time".
He said some residents who have the virus are seriously ill, adding: "The most important thing is protecting those that have this, getting them through this, supporting their families and supporting the staff."
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