'OVERALL learnings’ from an outbreak of coronavirus at a Borders care home will be made available to the public.

Saltgreens Care Home, which is run by Scottish Borders Council, revealed in April that a number of residents had tested positive.

Eight residents died with COVID-19 mentioned on their death certificates.

The council’s executive member for adult wellbeing, Tom Weatherston, says a public statement will be made regarding the response to the virus.

READ MORE: NHS Borders moved coronavirus patients to care home

“Learning lessons from the experience of our staff is a critical part of strengthening our response in providing the best care possible,” the Kelso councillor said during a full council meeting on Thursday (November 26).

“The councillors applied the most robust and responsive models available across every aspect of responding to the pandemic and every week collaborated with NHS colleagues throughout.

“At the core of this work are reviews of actions taken and in particular to focus on staff on the ground, to ensure they have the best possible guidance and support when providing care to the most vulnerable in our society.”

READ MORE: Coronavirus: NHS Borders moved 68 untested patients to care homes

Tweeddale East councillor Stuart Bell joined Mr Weatherston in offering his condolences to anyone whose relatives have died in care homes in the Borders.

Mr Bell then asked for the “overall learnings from Saltgreens” to be made public.

He said: “In view of COVID incidents during the second wave, particularly in Hawick and Peebles, it is important that elected members and the wider public are appraised of lessons from the Saltgreens outbreak in the first wave."

In his response, Mr Weatherston said: “I assure you that will happen. Members will get a good chance to ask about any concerns they have and after that we can proceed with a public statement.”