Forcing elderly couples to live apart ‘is a shocking indictment of society’, says judge

THE COUNTRY’S most senior family judge has hit out at the “shocking” practice of separating elderly couples against their wishes in care homes.

Sir James Munby, president of the Family Division of the High Court, said he felt “personal outrage” that “people who may have been together for 30, 40 or maybe 50 years are separated in their final years”,

reported. In a speech in Stafford, Sir James told the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (Adass) that forcing apart pensioners was “absolutely shocking and a profound indictment of our society”, according to the paper.

Sir James suggested such practices could prove fatal, the

reported. The newspaper said he told Adass members: “We do know that people die of a broken heart. I have read of cases where one person died and then the other dies a couple of days later. How long do people last if they are uprooted? A very short time.”

He said when a person was “uprooted” and placed in a residential home it involved a “severance with place and people and things”. According to the

Sir James said: “You are actually putting someone in a regime which may not allow them to smoke, or a regime where for their own good they may be required or heavily persuaded to indulge in the kind of collective jollification which they would have loathed at home.”

Margaret Willcox, president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), said: “Social workers work hard and sensitively to safeguard the rights of older people and do whatever they can to keep couples together if that’s what they want.”

She added: “There are always complex issues to consider.” MORE THAN seven out of 10 people are uncomfortable asking for a free glass of tap water from places such as bars and restaurants if they are not a customer, a survey shows.

A poll for Keep Britain Tidy and BRITA UK said more than a third feel awkward asking for their reusable water bottle to be filled up, even if they are buying something.

Nearly three out of five (59 per cent) would be more likely to carry a reusable bottle if tap water refills were more freely available in places such as shops, airports and parks.

Almost as many believe businesses that serve food or drinks should be required to provide free drinking water to the public, whether or not they are customers.

Licensed premises including bars, theatres and restaurants are legally required to provide free drinking water on request in England, Scotland and Wales, although they can charge for the use of the glass or service.

No legislation exists for the provision of free drinking water at unlicensed premises.