Care home visits warning

CARE homes were warned last night that they must allow residents to see relatives over Christmas as some firms started to bring in bans.

The Care Quality Commission has contacted some providers to remind them of Government guidelines that care home residents must be allowed visits from three named visitors and an ‘essential care giver’.

It comes after one major firm, Barchester, banned all but essential care givers. Other providers have warned that a shortage of lateral flow tests will make it much harder for them to continue having visits.

This week Barchester, whose facilities are home to about 11,000 people, said until December 23 it will only allow anyone who is not an essential care giver to visit through screens.

The CQC’s Kate Terroni said it is ‘making absolutely clear to providers that blanket approaches to visiting are unacceptable and may trigger an inspection’. Barchester said it would review its rules on Monday.