Fury at ‘barbaric’ 14-day isolation in care after a walk
IRATE families have hit out at the continuing “barbaric” treatment of loved ones in care while the rest of the nation enjoys increased freedom.
They say the easing of lockdown is at odds with damaging restrictions at some homes.
While six people can now meet in beer gardens, care home residents going out – even for a stroll with their families – must spend 14 days in isolation on their return.
It has been described as “illogical” by campaigners.
One woman, who did not want to be named, said her 83-year-old father had not been allowed out or visited his relatives for more than a year.
She is banned from taking him out for a walk in his wheelchair, even though she is regularly Covid tested at work and her dad is vaccinated.
She said: “He cannot live with the threat that if he wants to be taken out he then has to stay isolated in his room for two weeks.
“The risk of being isolated is too much. He can’t cope. He’s done it before with Covid and doesn’t want to experience the severity of the isolation and loneliness.
“He’s disheartened and feels separated from life. He keeps saying, ‘I just want to get out’.”
John’s Campaign, set up in 2014, lobbies for extended visiting rights for family carers. It honours Alzheimer’s sufferer Dr John Gerrard, whose decline accelerated with isolation. He deteriorated rapidly when a norovirus outbreak stopped him seeing visitors for five weeks.
The campaign in his name said self-isolation was pointless and unnecessary since homes now have access to rapid testing, designated visitors are permitted and residents are almost all jabbed. It is also at odds with isolation orders after overseas travel. Co-founder Julia Jones said: “There is no logic to this – care staff come in and out every day with no restriction on their community interactions.
“Young men and women with learning disabilities or autism are being denied the opportunities guaranteed in care plans – and older residents are missing the sweetness of the outside world. It seems massively discriminatory.” Details emerged after updated Government guidance was issued when homes reopened to families from March 8.
Every resident should have a risk assessment and tailored visiting plan. But many providers have failed to do so.
Jenny Morrison, of Rights for Residents, told MPs: “It’s ridiculous. Quarantine for every other member of society has been cut to 10 days. In some care homes limited visiting has already stalled due to this.”