Care home visiting guidance | Hours, infection outbreaks

Care home visiting guidance

Care home visiting guidance came under the spotlight during the pandemic when visiting restrictions were imposed on care homes. There were sad scenes of visitors seeing care home residents through a glass barrier in special visiting pods, or only able to wave at them through a window.

In 2022, all care home visiting restrictions across the UK were lifted.

In England, the government made it a legal right for care home residents to have visitors. Since April 2024, care home visits have become a fundamental standard in CQC (Care Quality Commission) regulations. Each country in the UK has different care home rules.

However restrictions may still be put on care home visits in exceptional circumstances, such if there is a severe outbreak of an infectious disease.

How many visitors can a care home resident have?

There is no set limit on the number of visitors a care home resident can have at once, unless the home has an infectious diseases outbreak. In the case of an outbreak, each country in the UK has different visiting guidance. In England and Scotland, residents can nominate a visitor who can still visit during an infection outbreak.

How long can a care home visit last?

Care homes may have their own limits on how long a care home visit should last and these should be made clear to you prior to a visit. 

Some care homes have an open door policy with visitors able to stay as long as they like. While others will have certain visiting hours.

Do I have to book a visit to a care home in advance?

Across most homes, it is no longer a requirement to book a visit in advance. However, some homes may prefer for you to continue to do so in order to help them manage visits safely. It’s a good idea to contact the home to find out what their preferences are. 

What happens if the home has an infectious disease outbreak?

In normal circumstances, there should be no restrictions to visits in or out of a care home.

England

If a care home in England has an infectious disease outbreak, health protection teams may advise the care home to limit the number of people going into and leaving the care home. They should only put these restrictions in place if ‘facilitating a visit would pose a significant risk to the health or wellbeing of someone in the care home premises, which cannot be mitigated through other precautions’, says the Department for Health and Social Care.

Care home residents in England are able to nominate an Essential Care Giver. This person should be a family member or friend and will be able to visit in all circumstances, even in the case of an infection outbreak.

There is no requirement for Essential Care Givers to give personal care.

Scotland

The Scottish government introduced new standards for care homes in 2022. This gave residents the right to see visitors even during infection outbreaks.

Under the new rules, if there is an outbreak in a care home and restrictions are made to routine visiting, a resident can nominate relatives or friends as visitors. The nominated people can be directly involved with the resident’s care if that is what the resident wants.

Wales

If care homes in Wales have to restrict visiting due to an infection outbreak, it must be proportionate to the risk to residents and staff.

Visits when person is on end-of-life care

If the person is receiving end of life care, visiting should be allowed, even if the care home is suffering an infection outbreak.

Do I need a Covid test to visit a care home?

Visitors to care home are no longer required to test before they visit.

Do I have to wear a mask when visiting a care home?

It is not a legal requirement for visitors to wear a mask in a care home. However the home may ask you to wear one if they have an infectious diseases outbreak so they can keep residents safe.

Do I have to be vaccinated to visit a care home?

You are not required by law to be vaccinated against Covid in order to visit a resident in a care home. You may be asked to wear one by the care home if they suspect the resident has Covid.

Can I visit a care home if I test positive for Covid?

You should not visit a care home if you have tested positive for Covid. People living in care homes are at higher risk of being severely affected if they contract Covid, as they are older and often have complex health conditions.

Can I visit a care home if I feel unwell?

You’re advised not to visit a care home if you’re feeling unwell, as you might be carrying something else, such as flu or norovirus.

Symptoms of a contagious virus include:

• Coughing and sneezing
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea

If you have any of these, it’s advised to avoid visiting a care home until you have been feeling better for at least five days.