Backlash after MSP says take relatives out of care homes
A NATIONALIST MSP has sparked anger after suggesting people missing contact with elderly relatives could take them out of care – and look after them at home.
John Mason, representing Glasgow Shettleston, responded to a woman barred from visiting her dementia-stricken mother because of rules designed to stop the spread of Covid in residential care.
Defending the restrictions on care home visitors, Mr Mason said on Twitter: ‘Covid has necessitated all our human rights to be temporarily restricted.’
In response, former pharmacist Jane Smith tweeted a link to a story about her mother, saying: ‘This is my mum. Imagine how you would feel not being able to help her and hug her for ten months – perhaps next time you won’t be so quick to judge.
Mr Mason, whose 93-year-old mother is in a care home, tweeted: ‘I guess we all have a choice to take our relatives out of care homes and look after them ourselves. However, my mother gets much better care from the care home than I could give her. More than happy that she is there even with visiting restricted.’
Labour MSP Neil Findlay responded: ‘Many people don’t have a choice – they may have other caring responsibilities [or] health issues themselves or have to work to put bread on the table and keep a family together – looks like these very obvious facts have escaped Mr Mason.’
Twitter user Kate Meacock posted: ‘Can I suggest you quit before you embarrass yourself even more. Honestly this is a disgraceful answer to anyone who has had to make the impossible decision to put a loved one into care.’
Experts have warned that the restriction of physical contact with care home residents could cause a deterioration in their mental health.
Campaigners want nominated relatives or friends to have the same access rights to care homes as staff, while following stringent infection control procedures.
Scottish Tory health spokesman Donald Cameron said: ‘ John Mason should have chosen his comments more sensitively. He knows all too well that not every family is fortunate enough to be in the position he outlines. While we must continue to stop the spread of the virus, the SNP must explore every avenue in order to allow as safe visiting as possible under the current restrictions.
‘These heartfelt pleas from relatives also shows why the SNP must rollout the vaccine as quickly as possible in our care homes.’
Neither the SNP nor Mr Mason responded to requests for comment.
‘A disgraceful answer’