THE Older People's Commissioner has urged health minister Robin Swann to "turn his words into action" and quickly roll out Covid-19 testing across all care homes in Northern Ireland.
Eddie Lynch also appealed for repeat swabbing of vulnerable residents and staff, given concerns about the number of people who have no symptoms but carry the virus.
Following weeks of public pressure, Mr Swann yesterday announced that universal testing would be completed for "all residents" in the sector next month. No timescale for given for staff.
The move came 48 hours after Mr Lynch challenged the Department of Health over its decision making and said he wasn't "assured" that its strategy - where testing was only carried out in homes experiencing coronavirus outbreaks or residents showed symptoms - was protecting those most at risk.
Speaking to The Irish News yesterday, the commissioner said he had "no prior knowledge" of the department's u-turn.
"I was relieved to finally get the response from the minister that they were going to introduce universal testing. It's been a long time coming," he said.
"It's certainly something that will be welcomed by thousands of families, residents and care workers. But right now what needs to happen is that we need to see it rolled out quickly.
"I note they're saying June but I think every effort should be made now to ramp it up and introduce it as soon as possible. Time is of the essence here and we're dealing with people who are vulnerable on a daily basis.
"In the Republic, they've been testing for weeks and I understand they're close to covering all care homes. The question for now is how often care home staff and residents will be tested."
Almost half of the north's coronavirus-related deaths have occurred in care homes, with almost 270 fatalities recorded up until May 8.
Earlier this month, Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill called for universal testing to be given priority and expressed frustration she didn't have the autonomy to authorise it.
Ms O'Neill and First Minister Arlene Foster jointly backed the measure last Thursday at a Stormont briefing.
The health minister yesterday hit back at critics who said the department should have acted sooner.
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Swann insisted that they had had already undertaken an "intensive programme" of testing and were moving to "the next level".
He referred to enhanced measures introduced in late April as well as the introduction of a mobile testing service by ambulance crews for care homes, with almost 3,700 residents tested.
And he said while there was no firm testing scale, he would like staff to be tested on a regular 14-day cycle.
Mr Lynch said he would be seeking further details from the department on timescales and assurances on "frequent" testing.
He added: "One of the key reasons I pushed for universal testing was the asymptomatic issue among residents and staff.
"In Scotland, 30 to 40 per cent of care homes workers who tested positive had no symptoms. That highlights the serious nature of this, and the reason why testing shouldn't have been just limited to homes where symptoms and outbreaks occur.
"That's why the minister's new commitment is so important. The challenge now will be to turn those words into action."
