Yes, that's what I read too
@Bikerbeth . Such a shame their isn't the trust that visitors wont adhere to guidance unless watched. Perhaps Govt realises everyone is desperate for a hug after restricted for so many months and the temptation if alone would be just too great. Sadly it will mean fewer visits for all, no doubt, as staff will have to be rotated in for guard duty. It's so not on, invasion of the residents privacy and right to conversation that's not listened to by others. My mum is paying for this privilege!?
The Govt won't be monitoring what care home staff are doing when not working. They could be breaking the rule of 6, but no one will be watching this.
I shall be writing to Helen Whately to make these points. According to what I saw on BBC news update she does see the importance of family visits, but the need to protect the residents seems to be at the forefront.
I read the winter plan
@Louise7 , and was horrified to see the suggestion was to discharge coved positive patients from hospital back to the care homes!!! Was nothing learnt from previous fiasco? It did say this had to be done "safely" ie patient kept in isolation at the home or "cohorting" , whatever that is? Care home could refuse to take patient back, but I guess as family we wouldn't have any say if the home should do this.
I can't understand why the govt talks of minimising risk by restricting visitors, but it's ok to take the risk of coved positive residents taken back, that can't be minimising risk.
I shall be making that point to Helen Whately too!
Am just feeling so angry and sad in equal measures.
I fully understand no visits if the area is in lockdown for everyone, but really believe no one in the government is trying to facilitate visits safely, just saying it can't be done.
Rant over here, sorry TP
Off to email Helen
msc@dhsc.gov.uk