Care watchdog receives 82 allegations of blanket bans on care home visiting

As visiting restrictions are lifted in care homes in England, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has revealed it has received complaints concerning 82 alleged blanket bans on visiting since 1 December 2021.

On 31 January, the government changed the guidance for all care homes in England with no limit on the number of visitors allowed in care homes, and self-isolation periods also cut with homes following outbreak management rules for 14 rather than 28 days.

In the wake of the guidance, the care watchdog revealed it has received concerns over visiting not being allowed in 189 care services, of which 82 were alleged blanket bans on visiting.

In a statement, the CQC said that it expects care homes to ensure visiting is unrestricted and if there are changes where providers are no longer able to receive visitors, they are urged to speak to their CQC inspector as soon as possible.

Kate Terroni, chief inspector of Adult Social Care at CQC said: "The pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on many people, and we know it has been particularly difficult for those who are living in care homes and their families and loved ones. It is so important that people are able to spend crucial time with the people they love.

"We have taken decisive action throughout the pandemic to help keep people safe in care settings including undertaking over 12,000 inspections and making absolutely clear to providers that not following government guidance is unacceptable and may trigger an inspection.”

CQC 'continue to seek assurances from care home providers' about how they support visiting

The CQC said it has addressed potential blanket visiting bans through inspections, safeguarding alerts and has worked with local authorities as a result of feedback from people who use care services and their loved ones.

Ms Terroni added: "We continue to seek assurances from care home providers about how they are supporting visiting to happen, and we are verifying this information when we go out and inspect and will continue to do so. We have introduced a mandatory question on each of our care home inspections which looks at how visiting is being supported to happen in a safe way."

The care regulator also launched its ‘Because We All Care campaign’ with Health Watch England for care home residents and their relatives to encourage people to share feedback on individual experience.

The campaign has already resulted in over 50,000 people sharing their experiences. This information has helped inform how CQC regulates services, as well as the recommendations Healthwatch has made at a national and local level to professionals about service improvements.

If you, a loved one or someone you care for would like to raise a concern about visiting in registered care locations, or about any other matter involving a person's care, you can call 03000 616161.

To read the latest care home guidance regarding visiting, click here