Canadian hero backs Anne’s Law campaign
The politician pioneering groundbreaking visiting rights for care home relatives in Canada has backed our campaign for Anne’s Law.
Lisa Gretzky’s More Than A Visitor Act means that in Ontario two friends or family members of each resident can demand unrestricted access to their loved ones.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is considering calls – led by the Sunday
Mail – to end Scotland’s care home visiting scandal by introducing similar legislation.
About 300 elderly residents have died every week over the course of the pandemic – of Covid and non-Covid related conditions – with virtually no contact with their families.
Experts have warned of a humanitarian disaster in which thousands have given up on life due to loneliness and depression.
We have named our campaign for an essential caregiver law in honour of 62-year-old Anne Duke – a former care home therapist who has been cut off from her family while battling early onset dementia.
Gretzky, 49, said: “I think many countries in the world, including Scotland, would benefit from Anne’s Law.
“I have had interest from around the world in my Bill because this cutting-off of access had emerged as a huge problem.
“The sheer volume of people coming forward to say they have been denied the right to spend time with loved ones and the stories told of the mental and physical impact of isolation are heartbreaking.”
Gretzky’s Bill received unanimous consent on a recorded 47-0 votes last September and is now awaiting a final vote which will immediately make it law.
In the meantime, the government in Ontario has introduced an “essential caregiver directive” which tell care homes to comply with the principles of the Bill.