Analysis that has been highlighted by the Herald on Sunday showed that Midlothian had the highest rate of care home deaths of any local authority, with 75 recorded deaths and a rate of 135 per 1000 care home places.
A subsequent investigation by the Sunday Post has now revealed that at least 37 patients were transferred into care homes across Scotland after testing positive, during the height of the outbreak.
With NHS Lothian not responding to the request from the Sunday Post, it is unclear if infectious patients were moved into homes in the region.
Now Mr Balfour says it is time for the SNP Government and Health Secretary Jeane Freeman to take responsibility over deaths in care homes and investigate the true story behind NHS Lothian’s handling of discharging patients.
Commenting, Jeremy Balfour MSP said:
“The SNP’s catastrophic failings in handling care home transfers is completely unacceptable and they need to take responsibility for the thousands of deaths that this resulted in.
“Too many families across Midlothian have suffered tragic loss and they need and deserve answers about what has gone on in our care homes and across the community.
“Instead of burying her head in the sand, the SNP’s Health Secretary Jeane Freeman must ensure that an investigation is conducted in order to find out what took place within NHS Lothian and why Midlothian’s most vulnerable people were let down so badly.
“I will continue to fight for answers to be delivered for families who have lost loved ones.
“There is an urgent need to be fully transparent on how our care homes were left unprotected at the height of the pandemic.”