The CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland says visitor restrictions are having an impact on residents.
It's after a Waterford TD called for antibody testing of patients in nursing homes.
Independent Matt Shanahan made the remarks in the Covid Special Committee:
"On the isolation of residents at present, we know that four out of five residents who have come into contact with Covid have survived.
"We assume the science is not exact, but we know people have antibodies for a period.
"Is it possible that we could look at antibody testing to try to identify those nursing home patients and allow them to have access to their family and relatives, rather than continuing to be locked down?"
Tadhg Daly is the CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland:
"On the issue of easing visitor restrictions, we have submitted a paper to NPHET on that and I believe that is for discussion on Thursday.
"We have come through a very difficult period and I concur with the Deputy that we need to look at solutions so that we can move to the next phase because clearly the visitor restrictions are having an impact on residents."
Dr Siobhan Kennelly is from the HSE:
"Unfortunately, we have very little evidence that antibody testing will play a huge role, particularly in that population, in residents' ability to mount immune responses, so we cannot say with any assurance that that would be the appropriate way to go.
"We are, however, with HIQA and others, very conscious of the role of visits, which a number of Deputies have highlighted, so that guidance is being reviewed and will go through NPHET - I hope on Thursday, as mentioned - in order that we will be able to start opening up visiting in our nursing homes again."
