Scottish government urges public to have their say on care home visits and legal rights

People across Scotland are being urged to have their say on new legislation, giving ideas of how care home residents can have the right to meaningful contact in the future with friends and family, after visits were banned or restricted during the coronavirus pandemic.

The five-week consultation has been launched to introduce a policy called Anne’s Law aimed at allowing care home residents to be visited by family and friends.

The Scottish Government is asking the public to help them explore a range of legal and practical considerations in order to make sure any changes brought in are effective. These include how the new legislation will affect the competing rights and needs of others, including other care home residents and staff.

Social Care Minister Kevin Stewart said: “Social connections and meaningful activity are important for the wellbeing and quality of life of people living in adult care homes. For many residents, family members or friends also play a vital role in their care, complementing the support provided by care home staff.

“The Scottish government is committed to bringing in Anne’s Law to ensure people who live in adult care homes have rights to see and spend time with those who are important to them.

“It is important that we hear views and suggestions on the proposals to achieve this so that we do it in the best possible way. We want to hear from as many people as possible to help shape the proposals, including people who live in adult care homes, their families and friends, care home providers and staff and a wide range of other stakeholders.”

The consultation, launched on 16 September, builds on a programme of work to enable people living in adult care homes to maintain family and friendship connections. This includes strengthening the health and social care standards.

Anne’s Law is named after Anne Duke, a resident living in a care home in East Kilbride who was cut off from her daughter during the pandemic.

Anne Duke’s daughter Natasha Hamilton, from Care Home Relatives Scotland, said: “We are very pleased to hear that the consultation for Anne’s Law is getting underway. The pandemic has caused great suffering for residents and relatives and has really taken its toll on people’s mental and physical wellbeing.

“We have always believed that even during outbreaks, nominated carers such as husbands, wives, parents, sons and daughters should be enabled to spend time with their loved ones just as staff do. We sincerely hope legislation can be enacted that recognises the importance of family life for people in care and the need for personal connection and touch.”

Consultation responses need to be submitted before the closing date of Monday 2 November.

To take part in the consultation, go to https://consult.gov.scot/pandemic-response/annes-law-legislation/consultation/subpage.2016-07-07.1474135251/