Hospitals were coercing care homes to take patients who are now known to have had Covid-19 – this is according to care home owner Mike Dresser, who described Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s comments about care homes on Monday as “scandalous”.

Mr Johnson appeared to blame the number of care home deaths from the virus on the homes themselves, saying: "Too many care homes didn’t really follow the procedures.”

Mr Dresser, who owns the Howard Care Home in Brampton, said he has been in the business for 30 years.

“We didn’t have loans or debts to pay so when we were asked to take patients from hospital we said no," he said.

“People newer to the business might not have had that option. They were being pressured to take patients and while they might have been told they were Covid-free that was not always the case.”

He said the blame lay solely at the government’s door: “At the beginning of the pandemic we were getting advice and visits from everyone – and the following week the advice would all change.

“We locked down slightly earlier than the lockdown and have had no coronavirus deaths. But we did have a resident who was admitted to hospital after a fall.

“We paid for two nurses to look after her in isolation before she was able to come back to the home. That cost us about £4,000.

“The cost of PPE has risen. Our staff have their temperature taken every day. The temperature nozzles used to cost £20 for 200. Now they are £1 each. That’s just one of the problems that care homes are facing.

“For Boris Johnson to make those comments really is just outrageous.”

Patricia Bell, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet Member for Health and Care Services, said she had been “shocked rigid” by the Premier's comments.

“Even before lockdown care homes, carers and social services were in a very difficult place because of a lack of finance. When the pandemic hit, Government guidance was muddled.

“Many care workers have been traumatised. I remember getting a call from one care home manager. There had been nine deaths overnight – and there would not even have been nine staff on.”

She said the care homes and their staff had gone above and beyond the call of duty during the pandemic “and to say they are to blame is both thoughtless and selfish”.

She said anyone of any political persuasion who had acted like Mr Johnson were neither leaders nor statesmen.

“If I could I would like to hug every single care worker for what they have done.

“The Prime Minister’s remarks have left me beyond angry. “

Health secretary Matt Hancock said yesterday that care homes had done “amazing work”.