The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Family not allowed in as loved one lay dying
PITLOCHRY: Relatives forced to comfort 98-year-old through an outside window
The “distressing” final moments of an elderly care home resident have sparked calls to relax restrictions on end-of-life visits.
Relatives were forced to say goodbye to 98-year-old Phyllis Stewart behind a pane of glass at the locked down Balhousie complex in Pitlochry.
The former district nurse’s daughters spent 12 hours trying to comfort her from outside the building, speaking to her through an open window.
“You can imagine the stress and anxiety on both sides,” said Duncan Huie, partner of Mrs Stewart’s daughter Catriona.
He suggested a safe room could be set aside, to allow families to be with their loved ones during their final moments.
Balhousie Care said it was following strict lockdown guidelines, but the Scottish
Government confirmed that emergency legislation allows family visits during end-oflife situations.
The death has led to calls for care homes to relax restrictions, and for greater clarity from the Scottish Government.
A grieving family has described the “stress and anxiety” of being forced to say goodbye to their loved one through the window of her care home.
Relatives of 98-year-old Phyllis Stewart had to queue outside the locked down Balhousie residence during her final moments on Friday morning.
The family has now called on care homes to look at relaxing restrictions so that people can be close to dying relations, and be given the chance to hold their hands or embrace them as they slip away.
The death has highlighted some confusion over end-of-life policies and prompted calls for greater clarity from the Scottish Government, and for care home operators to review visitor regulations.
The Balhousie Care Group, one of the largest care home providers in Tayside, said the restrictions were put in place based on expert guidance.
But the Scottish Government has confirmed families can be with their loved ones at the end of their lives.
Duncan Huie said his partner Catriona and her sister spent several hours outside the Burnside Road residence in Pitlochry, saying goodbye to their mother.
He said: “You can imagine the stress and anxiety at both sides of the window – Catriona had asked if she could come in and see her mum, but she was told she couldn’t because of the lockdown.
“Her mother was lying in a cot, turned up to the window so they could see each other, but they couldn’t hold hands or anything. I wouldn’t put my dog through that.
“The staff have been fantastic, really caring. They were in tears too.
“But they said the best they could do was open the window a bit so we could shout through to her.
“We did that until about 1am, when she just slept away.”
Mrs Stewart’s death was not related to coronavirus, and it is understood there are no cases at the home.
“You would have thought they would be able to make a safe, isolated space – away from everyone else – where a family can say goodbye properly,” said Mr Huie.
“Catriona was prepared to go into isolation for 14 days, if that’s what it took.”
A spokeswoman for Balhousie Care, which faced criticism this weekend over a perceived lack of transparency during the pandemic, said: “While, for confidentiality reasons, we choose not to comment on our individual residents, we follow closely the guidance issued by Health Protection Scotland, NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government surrounding the care of our residents.”
However, a Scottish Government spokesman said: “We absolutely understand the importance of visiting loved ones in care settings, and while routine care home visits are suspended in Scotland, we have guidance in place to ensure visiting care homes is restricted to essential visitors and family visits restricted to end-of -life care situations.”
Local MSP Murdo Fraser said: “It is unfortunate that Balhousie Care are interpreting the Scottish Government guidance in such a way that relatives are not able to be with loved ones at the end of their lives.
“While of course we need measures to avoid against Covid-19 infection, these are situations where compassion is needed.
“Greater clarity from the Scottish Government to care homes on what to do in such situations would be helpful in avoiding distressing situations like this in the future.”
Highland councillor John Duff (Conservative) said: “The death of a loved one is a traumatic time for a family, made even more painful by the current restrictions on visiting, funeral services and social isolation and I extend my sincere sympathies to Mrs Stewart’s family.
“We all recognise that the Covid-19 pandemic is placing care homes and families in a very difficult situation.
“I would encourage all care homes to keep their visiting policy under review and try to establish a safe way for families to share the final moments of their relatives in the most loving and caring way.”