Care homes lockdown over flu and ‘callously’ deny family visits
‘It will get to the point where if two people have a spot on the end of their nose they’ll close again’
CARE home providers have been accused of flouting official guidance by going into lockdown over outbreaks of flu and norovirus.
Concerned relatives claim they have been denied access to their loved ones for up to two weeks despite being an essential care giver.
They fear they could be “callously” cut off from loved ones again this Christmas after two years of strict coronavirus restrictions over the festive period. Campaigners have accused the homes of breaking official guidance that states essential visits should continue to be made at all times.
The Department of Health and Social Care urged providers to “ensure they are facilitating” visits that “play a crucial role in the wellbeing and care of patients and residents”.
One relative, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was banned from seeing her mother, 99, who she spends two hours feeding every day, for almost two weeks following an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting in her care home. The former businesswoman, 65, said she was only allowed in the South Tyneside facility after her mother stopped responding and they thought she might die. The next day the visiting ban resumed. On Friday the home shut again because two other residents caught the bug, with no indication of when it will reopen.
“I was gobsmacked they were closing for norovirus,” she said. “It will get to the point where if two people have a spot on the end of their nose they’ll close again. It’s vital for me to go in and feed her every day. The staff don’t have the time and she is just over six stone.”
Another home in Northumberland was shut from Nov 21 to Dec 2 because of an outbreak of the bug.
A daughter wasn’t able to see her mother, 84, who has vascular dementia, even though she was not infected with norovirus. She said: “It felt like she was back in prison, they were locking the doors again. “I was so worried I couldn’t see her. This time is precious and it is being wasted. I’m very concerned they will close over Christmas.”
Insiders said closures are used as a control measure to limit the number of those infected by the outbreak.
Diane Mayhew, co-founder of Rights for Residents, said: “Some care companies continue to ignore government advice which clearly states that during an outbreak all residents should have visits from one family member or friend at a time. We’re incredulous to hear that public health teams are advising homes to close to all visitors during outbreaks of seasonal flu, chest infections and norovirus.”
Helen Wildbore, director of the relatives and residents’ association, said: “Family carers are vital to the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of people needing care. Failing to recognise their importance is not only harmful to health but also dehumanising for both the person and their family. The Government must act urgently to protect in law a right to a care supporter before it is too late for too many more.”