The authority with responsibility for the health of Hampshire residents has said that more deaths from Covid at care homes does not mean the quality of care was lower.

Hampshire County Council’s executive lead member for adult services and public health, Cllr Liz Fairhurst, has been responding to CQC data disclosing the number of Covid deaths at care homes across the county.

It revealed that Pemberley House in Basingstoke had more Covid deaths than any other in Hampshire, at 28, and that a total of 103 people passed away from the virus at facilities in the Basingstoke area.

Additionally, the HCC-run Oakridge House care home had the second highest number of Covid deaths in the town, at 13.

Cllr Fairhurst, a Conservative councillor for North West Havant, said that the last year has been “extremely challenging for care homes”.

“Every death, whether COVID-19 related or not, has been cause for great sadness, and we recognise how difficult it has been for the families of loved ones in residential and nursing homes throughout the pandemic.

“During the period covered by the CQC report, the number of deaths in county council homes has been higher than what might be expected in a typical year with significant impacts from Covid-19 – also reflected within substantial parts of the private sector.

“The reasons for this are well documented and include an increased number of coronavirus infections that resulted in death before national restrictions were implemented – for example, national Government guidance for NHS testing at the point of discharge from hospital to care homes was not implemented until July 2020.

“We are firmly of the view that the higher death rate is not indicative of the quality of care provided during the period, or the infection control measures that were, and continue to be in place within individual homes.

“The County Council continues to go to great lengths to protect those for whom we care. This includes supporting and encouraging vaccination, regular testing, separate care arrangements for those with symptoms of the virus, limiting visiting where advisable and scrupulous hand hygiene in accordance with national guidance.

“We are grateful for the exceptional care provided by our staff, often in very difficult circumstances, over the past year, and are inspired and encouraged by the many messages of support we continue to receive from families, loved ones and the general public.”

The Hampshire County Council-run care home at Oakridge House had the second highest number of Covid deaths in the Basingstoke area, with 13 residents dying, mainly in the first three months of 2021.

Cllr Fairhurst added: “Oakridge is a large home providing both general as well as nursing care, including end of life.

“The number of people who sadly passed away during the period was higher than we might expect in a typical year, but is indicative of the exceptional circumstances of the period – an experience reflected in many homes throughout the country.

“The pandemic has posed considerable challenges for care homes across the county, and our team at Oakridge continue to pull out all the stops to look after and protect the many frail individuals in their care.”