Campaigners take fight for care homes access to No 10
ACTRESS Ruthie Henshall will lead campaigners to Downing Street today with a petition containing 250,000 signatures, calling for new laws guaranteeing care home access.
The West End star is a member of the Rights for Residents group calling for relatives to be put in the same category as professional carers.
Ruthie, 54, became one of her 87-year-old mum Gloria’s care team in order to see her.
They were reunited in March after a six-month wait and now see each other every other day.
Ruthie said: “Without this her quality of life is non-existent. People are her everything.”
Rights for Residents believes new laws could counter a postcode lottery of access. Some homes are open while others only allow half-hour weekly visits. Easing restrictions should also enable residents to go out and not have to isolate for 14 days on their return.
The grassroots group believes Government guidance for care homes is insufficient as it is only advisory and some providers have chosen to ignore it.
Residents can have two nominated visitors, in addition to a care giver, who can visit – even during outbreaks. The group’s founder Jenny Morrison said: “The Government has provided a clear roadmap for every other member of society and yet those in care are absent.
“People are now meeting in groups of six, mixing households, visiting hair salons, beauty salons, gyms, shops, restaurants, pubs, coffee shops and even meeting for indoor and outdoor sports events.
“No such freedoms have been granted to those living in homes and this appalling breach of human rights continues. Many care homes continue to defy guidelines and instead have imposed blanket visiting policies that limit one family member to a meaningless 30-minute visit once a week, fortnight or every three weeks.”
Her supporters include senior Labour MP Harriet Harman, chair of the powerful crossparty Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights.