Challenging visiting bans during outbreaks

When Julie’s care home locked down again in the summer of 2022 due to a COVID-19 outbreak, all visits were banned. Julie and the other residents were confined to their rooms. Julie lives with dementia, is very sociable and physically active so the confinement was very difficult. Her daughter, Lorraine, was very concerned about the restrictions.

After reading our guide ‘Visiting and the Law’, Lorraine asked the care home to see a copy of her mum’s risk assessment. The home hadn’t done an assessment for Julie so arranged for this happen.

Lorraine quoted sections of our guide about Julie’s rights and suggested changes to the risk assessment to reflect the risk to life and other harm caused by isolation.

The home changed their policy and Julie was allowed visits from her daughter again.

Lorraine said: “Thank you so much for everything you do.”