Hospitals and nursing homes are breaking the law by continuing to ban family visits despite the end of Covid restrictions, Conservative lawmakers said today.
Dozens of conservative politicians have insisted that “over-interpretation of testing guidelines has led to the isolation, neglect and abuse of vulnerable residents.”
In a letter, signatories, including former party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, write that it was “inhuman and cruel” to refuse visitors.
NHS guidelines were amended in March to allow two bedside visitors “at least one hour a day and ideally longer”.
However, hospitals, including Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, West Sussex, limit visits to one visit per day “up to an hour”.
On 31 January n. 10 changed guidelines for visits to care homes in the UK, removing all limits on the number of visitors to homes and reducing isolation times from 28 to 14 days.
But the Care Quality Commission observer announced in February that it had received complaints about visits to 189 health services, including general bans on visits to 82 homes.
The parliamentarians argue that section 8 of the human rights law and the mental capacity law “can and should protect against the occurrence of this situation”.
NHS guidelines were amended in March to allow two bedside visitors “at least one hour a day and ideally longer”. However, hospitals, including Queen Victoria Hospital (pictured) in East Grinstead, West Sussex, limit visits to one visit per day “up to an hour”.
Yeovil Hospital limits visits to one person at a time and has a maximum stay of one hour.
Hospitals, including St Batholomew’s in London, still encourage erectile dysfunction patients “not to plug anyone in unless absolutely necessary”.
In the letter sent to the Daily Telegram, the signatories affirmed that the visit is a “critical and fundamental right”.
They said, ‘To deny this right is inhuman and cruel’. Not surprisingly, isolation and loss of social contact have a devastating effect on physical and psychological health.
“Without the support of family and friends, health outcomes are worse as patients and residents lose hope, sometimes even the will to live, and often refuse treatment.
“Campaigners also warn of widespread and shocking safety issues related to drugs, lack of hydration, hygiene and basic care.”
Signatories to the letter include former Brexit negotiator Lord Frost and former housing minister Esther McVey.
Labor Emma Lewell Buck and Graham Stringer and DUP MP Sammy Wilson cross-delivered the letter.
Routine visits at dozens of hospitals are still suspended, and most of all hospitals have set limits, according to the newspaper.
These include having one visitor per patient or only granting access for 30 minutes.
Yeovil Hospital limits visits to only one person at a time and has a maximum stay of one hour.
Hospitals, including St Batholomew’s in London, still encourage emergency patients to “not take anyone with them unless absolutely necessary”.
The letter also claims that hospitals and nursing homes that do not accept visitors are “failing” the most vulnerable members of society.
McVey added that she is “disturbed” by the current situation and will write to Sajid Javid to “absolutely” clarify that family members should be able to see their loved ones.
NHS England said: “In line with the latest guidelines, NHS Trusts should facilitate patient visits and measures should already be in place to do this safely.”
Source: Daily Mail
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