COVID-19: Calls for care home visits to continue during month-long lockdown

A coalition of over 60 organisations has sent an open letter to the government urging it not to take away care home visits to families and loved ones during the month-long lockdown which starts Thursday 5 November.

In the letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock and Minister for Care, Helen Whately, the 60-strong voices are calling on the government to keep care homes open to visitors and stop residents being put at risk of emotional, mental and physical deterioration.

The signatories including researchers and organisations brought together by the National Care Forum (NCF) are worried isolation caused by a blanket ban on visits to care homes could be harmful and cause anguish. The coalition also states that for older people in particular, who live on average two years once they go into a care home, there simply isn’t enough time to watch and wait.

'We must balance the risk of harm from COVID-19 with the risk of emotional deterioration'

Vic Rayner, executive director of the NCF said: “We all understand visiting in care homes is a very human balancing act that centres around people and their needs, and the risks for those living and working within a care home and relatives and friends too.

“However, we must balance the risk of harm from COVID-19 with the risk of harm from isolation and physical, mental, emotional deterioration.”

In the open letter, the coalition states: ‘Locking down care homes in March was an emergency response to the global pandemic caused by a virus about which little was known. Eight months on, more is understood about the risks of transmission and measures are in place to keep people safe.’

“They must be listened to” says Ms Rayner. “The coalition has a clear set of asks around testing of visitors and the designation of one person (as a minimum) per resident as a key visitor, as well as enabling every care home to manage visiting in the way that best works for them, with help to create safe COVID-19 visiting spaces. We must work together at a pace to have this in place by the end of November. None of this is easy, but nothing that matters ever is.”

The government announced plans for a pilot visitor scheme a few weeks ago where one family member or loved one would be classed as a key worker where testing and full PPE would be provided. The coalition which includes Alzheimer’s Society wants care home visits now.

Fiona Carragher, director of research and influencing at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “While it is important to protect the vulnerable with necessary precautions, designated family carers are an integral part of fundamental care and must be allowed to visit care homes, with testing and equipment in place.

“Coronavirus has wreaked devastation on people with dementia, worst hit by the virus, and their families. Thousands have died, not just from the virus, and many more have been badly affected by the isolating effects of lockdown, in the community as well as care homes.

“The government must never abandon families affected by dementia again and learn the lessons from the first lockdown. Coronavirus has laid bare the dire state of social care for all to see – the lasting legacy from this crisis must be a universal social care system, free at the point of use, that provides quality care for every person with dementia who needs it.”

'Any entry' to a care home 'carries a degree of risk'

Meanwhile, ADASS along with Healthwatch and the Care Support Alliance (CSA), has also written a joint letter to the Secretary of State, to express their concerns with the absence of visits for older and disabled people in residential homes.

ADASS immediate past president, Julie Ogley, stated: "People’s full range of needs must be considered in relation to visiting policies. Any entry (whether by visitors, staff, or maintenance staff) carries a degree of risk. Some providers have suitable environments (or adaptations), PPE, and reliable testing to enable visiting to happen as safely as possible.

"The views of all residents and their families should be sought as to the levels of risk they are willing to take as well as respecting and protecting the lives of others.

"Whilst, as a nation, we are facing enormous challenges to minimise the risk of infection and the spread of Covid-19, we must recognise the detrimental impact that not seeing a loved one for a prolonged length of time can have on the individual’s emotional, mental and physical well-being.

“It is pivotal that we strike the right balance between protecting ourselves, people in care, care staff, our families, and our local communities, and the well-being of the individual.”

Addressing the nation on Saturday night, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the latest figures suggested deaths could reach thousands a day with a "peak of mortality" worse than the country saw in April and the NHS would become overwhelmed.

As a result, between 5 November and 2 December, non-essential shops, pubs, gyms and places of worship will be closed, and people will be advised to stay at home.

The government website states, guidance on care home visits will be published ahead of Thursday's national lockdown and care home staff should continue to follow 'existing guidance.'

To read the government website regarding the new national restrictions from 5 November click here