Elderly residents are being let down yet again

THERE are too many stories like this one, too many spouses, partners, sons and daughters separated from those they love.

In the name of safety and infection control, great damage is being done.

Nearly six years ago, Julia Jones and I founded John’s Campaign, following the death of my father Dr John Gerrard (after whom it is named). Having witnessed his dramatic deterioration in hospital, when he was separated from his family because of an outbreak of infection, bewildered and alone, Julia and I pledged that other people should not go through this experience.

John’s Campaign was founded on the principle that close relatives of those suffering from dementia should have extended visiting rights, as they are essential to a patient’s wellbeing.

For six years, we made steady progress in changing the culture in hospitals and care homes — then along came Covid. The grief, guilt and anguish it leaves will last for many, many years.

Zoom meetings, window visits, glimpses through fences and, for the lucky ones, brief and chaperoned times in gardens, as the weeks turned to months. People with dementia

need to see those they love. Disconnection can even be fatal for those whose condition endangers their sense of self.

Dementia deaths have risen sharply. Too often, sufferers have died alone.

John’s Campaign believes this separation must end. Family carers should be trusted to take the same sensible precautions as paid carers and be allowed back into the homes where their loved ones wait for them.

That is why John’s Campaign is asking the Government for a judicial review, which we hope to pay for through crowdfunding. We believe a violation of human rights is taking place.

Time is urgent. The average life expectancy of someone in a care home is twoand-a-half years; for a nursing home resident it is 13 months. Six of those months have already gone.