Ban on 'close-contact' indoor care home visits in England a 'terrible blow'

All indoor visits to care homes in England have been banned as part of a third coronavirus national lockdown, with the National Care Forum (NCF) and Alzheimer’s Society calling the news a “terrible blow” for residents and families.

The Prime Minister has announced a national lockdown and instructed people to stay at home to control the virus, protect the NHS and save lives.

The decision follows a rapid rise in infections and has been attributed to the new variant of COVID-19, which scientists have now confirmed is between 50 and 70 per cent more transmissible.

New guidance set out by the government states 'visits to care homes can take place with arrangements such as substantial screens, visiting pods, or behind windows. Close-contact indoor visits are not allowed'.

The guidance also warns if there is an outbreak of COVID in the care home, no visits will be permitted.

Vic Rayner, executive director of the NCF, said: "The move away from close-contact visits is a terrible blow for residents across the country.

"However, it is very important and positive that visiting remains firmly on the agenda and homes across the country will be working hard with loved ones to ensure wherever possible visits can continue.

"When we emerge from this lockdown it is imperative that we put care home residents' needs at the top of our priority list and ensure meaningful visits can resume."

The Alzheimer’s Society is calling on the government to keep residents safe but act with “compassion to prioritise" visits to residents in their final days.

'Mental health plays as much of a role in people’s survival as physical'

Fiona Carragher, director of research and influencing at Alzheimer’s Society said: “We are as concerned as everyone else at the increasing number of cases, but the announcement of a new national lockdown is another terrible blow to thousands of care home residents and their families, many of whom are still waiting for the day when they can finally properly see and hug their loved ones.

“After a dreadful year for people with dementia, worst hit by the virus, we are still having to stress that mental health plays as much of a role in people’s survival as physical. The large majority of people in care homes with dementia do not have time on their side. Contact with their families isn’t just for comfort but fundamental to their care – and most important of all, their reason for living.

“The government must do everything it can to keep people in care homes safe from the virus but must act with compassion to prioritise meaningful visits continuing in a safe way, allowing residents to have the one thing that matters most to them in their final days.”

Care home visits in Scotland

The government is recommending window and garden visits but this is limited to one person, with children and young people not allowed to visit. Visits have to be arranged with the care home in advance.

Indoor visits are for essential visits only.

Care homes visits in Wales

Eveyone living in a care home in Wales can have a designated visitor and a deputy designated visitor. Visits are currently allowed indoors but this is up to the individual care home.

If there is an active incident or outbreak of COVID-19 at the care home both indoor and outdoor visits must be restricted to exceptional circumstances such as end of life.

The Welsh government is asking for children not to visit care homes currently.

The government in Wales has invested in temporary pods for care homes to help with safe visiting.

Guidance

For more information regarding government guidance in care homes, the following websites are available:

England: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home#care-home-visits

Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-adult-care-homes-visiting-guidance/

Wales: https://gov.wales/visits-care-homes-guidance-providers-html#section-49162