Milton Keynes man asks pertinent question about care home patients in government's daily briefing

Bob addressed Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Public Health medical director Professor Yvonne Doyle via video link during the 5pm session.

He said: "As there has been success so far in not overwhelming the NHS, and there seems to be plenty of space in the Nightingale hospitals, why can't we remove some residents from care homes for their immediate safety?"

He added: "If this takes place immediately, and perhaps with military assistance, this could save some lives. Is it feasible in any way?"

Mr Raab replied that this idea was something that had been under "constant" discussion by the government. But they had to be certain there was the right capacity as the hospitals, not just for current cases of Covid-19, but to deal with future cases too.

"He added: "But we are looking at that, not least in the context of some of the cohorting that may need to be done, which hasn't been done in some areas...So it's certainly something that, again, remains under review."

Professor Doyle said health officials were looking at the different Nightingale hospital models to see whether they would be adaptable to circumstances that may arise if the care home plan went forward.

But she pointed out that there was a "humane issue" and experts have to be sure that moving people from care homes would not prove more harmful and damaging, particularly if the patient was frail, vulnerable or suffering from dementia.

"So it has to be looked at as a judgement in terms of what is the best thing to do for those people and what is the most humane intervention given the risks they may face. But it is something that will be looked at," she said.

Bob's own brother, who is 59, is in a care home following a massive stroke. It would be disastrous if he caught coronavirus.

"He also has terminal kidney cancer and is an extremely unwell man," he said.

Bob's best friend, who is 58, also had a stroke and, following a spell in a rehabilitation facility, is now living in a Milton Keynes care home due to space issues.

He has been in MK hospital with Covid-19, but has now returned to the care home. Bob, who manages Topps Tiles in MK, believes he would be better moved to a Nightingale hospital.

"It is unacceptable to me that individuals such as my friend are being left in harm's way when there is space available at other places across the country.

His needs are not so complex as others, the health of his fellow patients is at risk, and there are staff and people who can help patients like him be happier and healthier," he said.

He added: "This is a horrible time for us all and obviously is completely unprecedented. I truly believe the government is doing a good job. But the system could be so much better and we could do that bit more for individuals like my friend and protect them even more from this damn virus,"