Care home residents facing three visitor limit
Families may be forced to make ‘devastating’ choices as Government considers cap on Christmas visits
CARE home residents in England could be banned from seeing more than three visitors under measures being considered by ministers, The Daily Telegraph can reveal, as families face “heartbreaking choices” ahead of Christmas.
Under current Government guidelines, there are no restrictions on family and friends visiting their loved ones in care homes. According to official guidance, the homes are expected “to facilitate visits wherever possible and to do so in a risk-managed way”.
However, since the announcement of Plan B, it has emerged that the Government is considering plans to limit the number of visitors to three per resident in the coming days. Campaign groups have criticised the proposals for forcing families to make the “devastating” choice of who can see their loved ones for what may be their last Christmas.
All care home residents were entitled to their booster vaccinations by November 1. Yet according to NHS England data published last week, just 72 per cent had been given a booster jab, and new figures released yesterday show that this has only increased by three per cent – to 75.4 per cent of all residents (238,472) – within a week.
A government source, who wished to remain anonymous, told this newspaper that limits of three visitors in social care settings is “very likely” and that the designated visitors may only be changed “when there is a clear change of circumstances for one of them”.
The source added that the idea is “still awaiting ministerial clearance” and “could still be vetoed by Number 10”.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) did not deny the restriction was among plans being considered by ministers but declined to give any further detail regarding timings and how the policy could be implemented.
The proposal is a reaction to the exponential spreading of the omicron variant, with health officials concerned about the mounting risk posed to care homes by visitors over the Christmas period. It is understood that if Number 10 approves the policy, it would come into effect in the coming days, meaning families will have to pick who can see their relatives for what may be their last festive season.
Campaign group Rights for Residents described the cap on visitors as “hugely disappointing” and warned families will have to make “heartbreaking choices”. A spokesman said: “The impact it will have on families will be devastating. It is absolutely heartbreaking for families to have to choose who can visit them. How do you pick those three people?”
It comes as the care sector awaits details of how it will be affected by Plan B. In a statement to Parliament on Wednesday, Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, said the Government will be “taking further measures to protect and support social care”, with “a package of measures” announced later this week.
Yesterday afternoon, the DHSC held a meeting with various stakeholders across the sector in which they were
‘It is absolutely heartbreaking to have to choose who can visit. How do you pick those people?’
told to continue with “business as usual”, with mitigations such as increasing PPE and testing recommended rather than further restrictions. “We are not expecting any changes to be announced imminently,” one of those present at the meeting said.
Prof Martin Green OBE, chief executive of Care England, said care providers needed “clarity and plenty of warning” regarding any restrictions. “They are coming under increasing pressure from residents and loved ones who want to establish Christmas plans,” he said.
A DHSC spokesman said: “Our priority throughout the pandemic has been the safety of care home residents and staff and we continue to keep our guidance under review in line with the latest public health advice.
“We appreciate how important care and companionship from visitors is and the positive difference this makes to the health and well-being of care home residents. We will continue to take advice from our leading scientists regarding any changes to guidance on care home visiting.”