More than 60 care homes investigated for banning family visits during lockdown

More than 60 care homes have been investigated by the care regulator for preventing families from visiting their vulnerable elderly relatives.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said it had conducted 1,282 inspections since 8 March and had taken action against 5% of care providers about which it had “outstanding concerns” relating to visiting, and had taken further steps against 37 cases of blanket bans on visiting.

The CQC was responding to criticism from the Relatives and Residents Association (R&RA) which said the regulator had failed to act to ensure that families can check whether their parents, grandparents or spouses are receiving appropriate care.

The R&RA has campaigned throughout the pandemic to allow families to see their relatives, amid concerns that depriving older people of contact with loved ones led to cognitive and physical decline.

Families have also been concerned that their older relatives are more likely to suffer abuse or neglect without oversight, and even in high-quality care settings relatives can be more likely to spot signs of distress or ill-health.

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Source: The Guardian, 16 May 2021