Skye councillor John Gordon has spoken of his feelings of “helplessness” as he confirmed his father was one of the five residents to die from Covid-19 at a Skye care home.
Home Farm Care Home remains at the centre of the island’s outbreak as 57 residents and staff test positive for the deadly virus.
John Angus Gordon, 83, had dementia and had been a resident at the HC One-owned care home for four years.
His devastated family were forced to say their goodbyes through FaceTime as nursing staff remained at his side.
Mr Gordon described his father “as a man of few words” who remained “humble, quiet and had a smile for everyone right up until the end”.
He spoke of his heartache at not being able to be by his father’s side in his final hours.
He explained: “One of the hardest things during this outbreak of covid-19 was not being there with him. In normal times family would come together when a loved one is ill, but we couldn’t do that.
“The feeling of helplessness and concern knowing he’s about to pass away and not be there with him is one of the hardest things to process.”
He added: “For me the most poignant moment in saying our goodbyes through FaceTime was seeing him reach our his hand to the carer and hold her hand as she was dressed in full PPE and blue gloves on. The reality for us of not being there to hold his hand and reassure him was hard.”
As health officials battle to contain the outbreak, the family have said they “will never forget the kindness” of the homes “caring and compassionate staff.”
Mr Gordon said: “As a family we want to pay our thanks to the staff at Home Farm Nursing Home who have been exceptional. It’s not easy for them to turn up in these circumstances and still do their job. They still care, cook, clean despite the environment they are working in and the way they have supported residents and their families during this terrible time is outstanding and we applaud them for all their efforts.”
HC One yesterday confirmed they had now had five deaths at Home Farm.
A spokesman for the home said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families who have lost loved ones from coronavirus and we are doing our utmost to support them during this difficult time.”
