SCOTLAND'S Health Secretary Jeane Freeman announced new arrangements to significantly strengthen oversight of Scotland’s care homes.

From Monday, clinical and care professionals at NHS boards and local authorities will have a lead role in the oversight for care homes in their area.

Every health board and local authority must put in place a multi-disciplinary team comprised of key clinical leads and the area’s chief social work officer.

The team’s remit will include daily discussions about the quality of care in each care home in their area, with particular focus on implementation of infection prevention and control, and the provision of expert clinical support to residents who have coronavirus.

READ MORE: Covid-19: What care homes can learn from the crisis so far

Freeman said: “The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on Scotland’s social care services. It is of paramount importance that those using services, including residents of care homes and those supporting them, are provided with the best possible care and the Scottish Government is doing everything in its power to ensure that is the case.

“All organisations including care providers are responsible for effective and safe care in their services, and are expected to work closely together and at pace to give effect to these arrangements.

“While these are unprecedented times, everything possible must be done to protect care home residents and staff from the effects of Covid-19."

“These new arrangements will ensure clarity and consistency across the country about the role of health boards and local authorities in helping to keep their residents safe from coronavirus and should be seen alongside other recent action the Scottish Government has taken, including publishing revised guidance for the sector, and amendments to the Coronavirus Bill being discussed at parliament next week.

“I want to assure staff, residents and their families that a safe residential environment in care homes remains our top priority.”

National Clinical Director Jason Leitch singled out the nation's "incredibly valuable" unpaid carers.

He said there are around 690,000 people in Scotland looking after loved ones, with those numbers likely to have increased during the current crisis.

"We absolutely recognise what you do, day-in and day-out," says Prof Leitch. "Without your support, our formal health care system would be simply overwhelmed."

He points out that there has been extended access to PPE and testing for such carers and says the government is proposing an additional payment to June's carer's allowance supplement - which will see around 83,000 carers receive £230 more - and a £500,000 fund for local carers' centres.