Care home residents in England limited to three visitors due to new restrictions

New government guidance means care home residents in England will now only be allowed three named visitors and one essential caregiver, to reduce the risk of residents being infected with Covid-19.

The measures which come into force this Wednesday are being introduced 'in order to balance the current Covid-19 risk and the need to keep people safe in line with clinical advice', according to the Department for Health and Social Care, which says it recognises the ‘importance of companionship for the health and wellbeing of residents’.

The updated guidance also states that staff testing will be increased from two lateral flow tests per week to three as well as a weekly PCR test.

Fully vaccinated residents going on trips outside the care home will be asked to take a lateral flow test on alternate days for two weeks after a visit. Those not fully vaccinated will be expected to isolate following a trip out.

Mike Padgham, chair of the Independent Care Group (ICG) called the new restrictions a “body blow to those in nursing and care homes and to their families and friends who will be looking forward to spending more not less time together over the festive period”.

However he added: "But as restrictions across the country become tighter and tighter, such a move does seem inevitable whilst we, as a country, fight to keep everyone as safe and well as we can."

He said the rising number of cases of Covid-19 – in particular, the spread of the new Omicron variant – was piling increased pressure on care settings.

Vic Rayner, chief executive of the National Care Forum said: “The number of visitors coming into care homes has only just been relaxed, and to immediately bring back limitations both for those visiting and for residents being out and about with family and community is a significant worry.

“New guidance issued by the government must take very seriously the potential restrictions on individuals living within care homes. It must not disproportionately limit access to family and friends, both within and outside of the home, whilst the rest of society continues to be encouraged to party and mingle without consequence.”

There was also concern expressed by the Alzheimer’s Society, with its head of public affairs and campaigns, James White, saying: “More than 70 per cent of care home residents are living with dementia and we know that restricting their contact with loved ones can lead to significant and irreversible deterioration in their symptoms.

“As we’ve seen from NHS England data released this week, a quarter of care home residents are still waiting for their booster vaccination despite promises that all residents would receive theirs by 1 November. We’re concerned that these suggested plans are being used as a crude sticking plaster due to the failure to meet this vital target.”