Borders MSP Rachael Hamilton, called on the First Minister to expand the Scottish Government’s Vitamin D programme to include care home residents alongside those who are shielding.
This comes after the UK Government announced a Vitamin D supply roll out for millions of vulnerable people as evidence grows it helps in the battle against Covid-19. South of the border, care-home residents and people shielding will be sent enough supplies of the vitamin to last four months, with the first packages due to arrive early next month.
In the chamber in Holyrood, Mrs Hamilton highlighted the above average risk of Vitamin D deficiency in Scotland, particularly in winter, and asked her to answer campaigners calls to extend the Vitamin D scheme, as it has been done in England.
The First Minister confirmed that Vitamin D is available to anyone in the shielding category, however, the situation in care homes is being considered.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“With the evidence mounting for the benefit of Vitamin D supplements in the fight against Coronavirus, the UK Government have acted swiftly and decisively to roll out free supplies to those shielding and in care homes over the next four months.
“I have joined campaigners calling on the SNP Government here in Scotland to extend their provision of Vitamin D beyond those shielding, to include care home residents.
“Vitamin D is particularly important in Scotland where we are at above average risk of deficiency and we must protect our most vulnerable through this difficult winter.
“I have urged the Scottish Government to reconsider their plan. Care homes, their residents and their families have been let down by the SNP consistently throughout the pandemic and it cannot continue.”