The Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, Eddie Lynch, is deeply concerned about possible breaches of human rights as a result of older people in care homes still being denied visits from families for many months.
He has expressed his concern that many of these residents are still unable to receive safe face-to-face visits with family members despite the roll out of the vaccination programme, regular testing and other precautions having been put in place.
There were active outbreaks in 18 care homes across Northern Ireland, according to yesterday's Department of Health dashboard figures. That was a decline of seven care homes with outbreaks compared to the previous week.
Many families have contacted the Commissioner seeking his help for care home providers to comply with the Department of Health guidance to create opportunities for safe visiting of care home residents.
Eddie Lynch said: “I have been working with authorities to try to get care homes to facilitate visits in a limited and safe way, so that families who have been separated for months can meet again.
“My office has received many requests for assistance in recent weeks from families who are desperate to visit their relatives with many describing how they feel their relative is being ‘held hostage’ or being ‘treated like a prisoner’.
Fortunately, in most cases, we have been able to work with care home providers to get these situations resolved. However, I remain concerned that the cases we are dealing with could be the tip of the iceberg and that many other families and residents may still be unfairly denied this important contact.
“I have sought assurances from authorities for many weeks that this issue is being tackled but I remain unconvinced that they know the true scale of this problem or how hard it is hitting residents and families. Given that many of these older people will be in the latter stages of their lives, it is critical that where visiting can be done safely, that it is facilitated immediately.
“Despite the Minister stating clearly that care home visits need to happen where possible, I have become aware in recent weeks of some providers still maintaining blanket bans on visiting or only allowing window visits despite having no Covid-19 outbreak in a home. This is not good enough and needs to change fast.
“I recognise and pay tribute to those care home providers who have complied with the guidance and have provided safe and meaningful opportunities for families to have visits with residents. This is providing them with much needed contact and I have heard heart-warming stories of what a difference this is making after such a terrible number of months.”
The Commissioner is asking anyone who is having problems seeing their relatives in care homes, to get in touch with his office and let him know what is happening.
Mr Lynch continued: “Although we must remain vigilant, it is clear we are now in a different place than we were a few months ago. All care home residents have received both doses of the vaccine and care home outbreaks are at the lowest point since the early days of the pandemic. Families tell me they are willing to be tested regularly and many of them have already been vaccinated themselves. If there is no Covid-19 outbreak in a home then residents must be re-connected with their loved ones. The denial of such a basic human right is cruel and inhumane.”
