Some care home residents ‘held hostage’ as family visits denied, says Commissioner for Older People Eddie Lynch

Commissioner Eddie Lynch said many families feel their relatives are being “held hostage” in residential care where the Department of Health advice to provide safe visiting opportunities is not being adhered to.

Mr Lynch has also urged family members who are experiencing difficulties with access to contact his office.

In keeping with the current community infection levels, care homes not experiencing a Covid outbreak should make arrangements for controlled visiting using “well-ventilated designated rooms/visiting pods” with additional access arranged as outdoor visits, window visits and virtually supported visits.

“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,” Mr Lynch said.

“My office has received many requests for assistance ... 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.”

Mr Lynch added: “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.”

The commissioner said he was aware of some care providers “still maintaining blanket bans” on visiting, but added: “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. 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.”

Anyone experiencing difficulties is invited to contact COPNI on 028 9089 0892 or email [email protected].

In response, a Department of Health spokeswoman said Health Minister Robin Swann “fully acknowledges the dedication of all independent care home providers and staff” who continue to work tirelessly to provide care to residents under the challenging circumstances presented by the pandemic.

She said: “The department and PHA are working to support care homes to implement visiting and care partner arrangements, with more than half of homes now having these arrangements in place.

“Trusts have been asked to assure themselves that care homes are operating in accordance with the visiting guidance. Trusts are continuing to work with care homes to provide the support they might require to move forward with the facilitation of safely managed and meaningful visiting arrangements.”

However, Mr Swann added: “Unfortunately there remains a number of families who have not as yet been able to successfully set up care partner arrangements for their loved ones. As well as trusts, the HSCB and PHA are working with those homes who are finding implementation more challenging – identifying and sharing good practice.”

The minister said that more than 370 nursing and care homes have shared £6.52m in funding for staff support in respect of care partners/visiting.

“The RQIA will also assess the approach being used when undertaking inspections of care homes, and considering compliance with the relevant care standards,” Mr Swann said.

READ: Health Minister determined to unlock care home visiting over Christmas

READ: New advice issued on visiting care homes

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