Minister Pledges Care Home Visiting Rights Law Change

Visiting rights will be guaranteed as a statutory duty of care standard in care homes, hospitals and hospices, a government minister has said.

The Department of Health is currently consulting on a proposal that would set visiting rights on the same footing as being provided with food, drink and properly qualified staff, amid concerns that some restrictions may remain as a legacy of Covid restrictions.

Care minister Helen Whately said: “Spending time with loved ones makes all the difference to the well-being of people in care homes and hospices,” while acknowledging that “keeping people safe from infections is important.”

What matters is “striking the right balance,” she continued.

This news will be welcomed by many care home residents and their families, for whom such access can be vital at key moments, not least in end-of-life situations in hospices.

Ms Whately said situations where people could not see loved ones were “painful”, adding: “It’s something I don’t want anyone to have to go through again. That’s why we’re changing the law to recognise just how much visiting matters.”

Of course, for those able to receive care in their own homes, such visiting rights are already in place and they can see plenty of their loved ones.

Nonetheless, sometimes care homes can go the extra mile to help with visits, even without the new statutory requirements planned by the government.

A great example of this was that of the Stockmoor Lodge care home in Bridgewater, Somerset, where a resident named Jean lives.

As the BBC reports, she was unable to travel to the wedding of her granddaughter Stacey Stewart and husband Ashley, but with the help of the home, Stockmoor Lodge was turned into a reception venue where the newlywed couple could come and bring the event to her.

A spokesperson for the home said: “You can tell from the beaming smile on Jean’s face just how much this meant to her.”