Campaign for CCTV in care homes takes step forward
ACTIVIST MEETS HEALTH SECRETARY
A HULL activist’s campaign to put CCTV into care homes has taken a major step forward after a meeting with the health secretary.
Tony Stowell, 52, has been campaigning for CCTV to be put into care homes for the past three years.
Earlier this year he sadly lost his mother, Antonia, after she contracted Covid19 while she was staying at a care home.
His campaign, known as Antonia’s Law, requires that care home residents should have a right in enshrined law, should the resident choose, to have a camera installed at their own cost.
This is to enable family members to monitor and check up on the resident remotely and have peace of mind regarding their wellbeing.
Last week, Tony and his legal team, Dave Vasoodaven and Fadi Farhat of Gulbenkian Solicitors, outlined the proposal to Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who was receptive to the proposal.
The installed cameras will not cost care homes any money as it will be funded by the resident or their family.
Tony has built a great support system across his social media page, Support Tony Stowell, as he fights to expose neglected dementia patients.
He says: “Everything I’ve done is in your honour mum, and to protect who are in need.
“I am now leaving a lasting legacy in Anotonia’s Law. I love you so much mum.”
The grandmother, 87, who was a resident at Rose Villa Care Home, in Beverley Road, is one of thousands of elderly care residents in the UK to die after contracting coronavirus during the pandemic.
Tony previously won a Pride of Britain Award in the Special Recognition category which honours British people who have acted bravely or extraordinarily in challenging situations.
■To follow the campaign, visit www.facebook.com/supportstowell all