Charity calls for rethink on ending free lateral flow tests as families face bill to visit loved ones

Thousands of people in West Sussex will face paying £70 a month to safely visit loved ones living with dementia in care homes following a decision to scrap free lateral flow tests from April 1.

The announcement, included in the government’s Living With Covid-19 plan, has been criticised by the Alzheimer’s Society, the UK’s leading dementia charity.

The charity is so concerned that its chief executive Kate Lee has written to Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid

Javid urging an immediate rethink on the changes.

Marion Child, head of services for the Alzheimer’s Society in West Sussex, said: “Free lateral flow tests are a crucial part of protecting people living with dementia in care homes and it is essential their loved ones have free access to them so they can visit safely.”

Boots announced it would be selling packs of five lateral flow tests for £12 from early March, meaning those wishing to visit loved ones daily will have to pay £73 per calendar month.

It is estimated at least 70 per cent of care home residents have dementia.

Alzheimer’s Society research showed 900,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia.An estimated 15,300 live in West Sussex.

Those with the condition were the worst hit by the pandemic.

More than 30,000 lost their lives to the virus.

Ms Child said: “The scaling back of free community testing will put family members and carers, desperate to keep their loved ones safe, out of pocket at a time when the cost of living is already rising.

“Ending the need for people to self-isolate after a positive test will also leave many feeling anxious about catching coronavirus as they try to get on with their lives.

“Social isolation has already wrought untold devastation on people affected by dementia and the government must now ensure that its Living With Covid-19 plan works for everyone, not just those less vulnerable to coronavirus.”

Alzheimer’s Society is calling for care home visiting guidelines to be as clear as possible, along with rules on self-isolation and access to PPE for health and care staff.

The charity wants free lateral flow testing for everyone living with dementia and their carers.

It also wants to see the over-75 booster drive prioritise care homes and those receiving care in their own homes.

The chief executive added: “It is now vital that we learn the lessons of the pandemic and ensure that we protect and support people with dementia who are still suffering from its impact.”

To join Alzheimer’s Society’s campaign to ensure people affected by dementia are supported and protected in the aftermath and recovery of the coronavirus pandemic visit alzheimers.org.uk/ campaign