The Newark Care facility in East Renfrewshire has claimed that no staff or residents have been tested even after the death of nine of their residents

The boss of a care home where the deaths of nine residents have been attributed to Covid-19 has criticised the Scottish Government over a lack of testing.

The Newark Care facility in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, said no staff or residents had been tested despite repeated requests to the Government.

Chief executive Jack Ryan has now written to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon outlining his concerns after she announced on Wednesday all symptomatic staff and residents in care homes would be tested.

Care home boss criticises Scottish Government after the deaths of nine residents

He wrote: “You stated that it is standard practice for testing of early cases to be carried out within care homes.

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“You need to be aware that despite having now lost nine residents whose deaths have been reported as coronavirus-related, there has been no testing at any point.

“All occurrences were reported to public health, East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership and the Care Inspectorate.

“We have asked repeatedly for testing, from the first instance and for every case which developed in the days that followed.”

Nine residents have meanwhile died after contracting coronavirus at Hill View care home in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, since April.

A further 16 are displaying symptoms and there is one confirmed case.

Care home boss criticises Scottish Government after the deaths of nine residents