Parliament recognises need for right to a Care Supporter in debate
24/06/2025
Today, Dan Carden MP brought forward a debate to Westminster Hall about Gloria’s Law - the legal right to a Care Supporter. Dan has long supported our joint campaign with John’s Campaign and Rights for Residents, and we are really grateful for him championing this issue.
Helen (Care Rights UK), Julia (John’s Campaign), Liz Saville Roberts MP, Dan Carden MP, Diane and Jenny (Rights for Residents)
Dan set the scene for the debate, explaining the context for the campaign arising from the pandemic, up to present day where we have seen the introduction of a new Care Quality Commission Regulation 9a which aims to protect visiting, but does not go far enough to truly support people.
Dan cited evidence from our adviceline, where unfortunately we have been hearing cases of care providers stopping visits and explaining to residents’ advocates that they are aware of 9a but simply not adhering to it. As people are not able to enforce it in law, 9a is not offering the protection needed for something as vital as the support of trusted loved ones.
It was excellent to see a cross-party range of support in the hall, including Alison Bennet, Lib Dems spokesperson for care and carers, who emphasised this issue “…while this regulation aims to ensure that care providers do not discourage visits and that people can attend medical appointments accompanied by a family member or advocate, it falls short of what is needed. Regulation 9a relies on enforcement by the CQC, an organisation that, I think it is well understood, is well stretched thin and faces a number of challenges. The CQC cannot prosecute providers for breaches of this and often lacks the resources for swift and consistent enforcement. And most importantly, this regulation does not create an enforceable right held by the individual resident themself.”
We were also pleased to have Liz Saville-Roberts in attendance, who was part of our cross-party group of supporters in previous parliamentary sessions. Liz explained the importance of person-centred care especially for those living with dementia, adding “Somehow the social needs for love and family contact can be regarded as a luxury, a nice to have, but ultimately expendable for adults in certain circumstances… It is recognised that changes in environment for people with dementia such as going in to hospital or moving into care can cause immense challenges…. We talk about putting the patient first, but we know how flimsy those words are when health and care institutions feel threatened, liable or are under staffing pressures.”
Shadow Minister for Health and Social Care Dr Caroline Johnson brought forward the importance of Care Supporters in health settings, describing her own experience: “Relatives also know the person that they’re seeing the best, and they’re able to identify changes in condition, which may go unnoticed by staff. Madam Chair, I remember visiting a relative of mine who was getting better recovering from surgery and was stepped down from the HDU to the ward. When I arrived, I realised he looked grey, pale and unwell. He was indeed in shock requiring urgent fluid resuscitation. What if that had not happened at the start of visiting time? I shudder to think.”
Parliamentary Secretary Under State for Public Health and Prevention, representing the Department of Health and Social Care ministers on behalf of the Minister for Care who could not attend, responded with gratitude for the stories that had been brought forward. We were glad she recognised the importance of Care Supporters, and we hope to action taken, understanding that this right needs to be protected in primary legislation.
Dan Carden MP commented “Today’s debate showed just how urgently we need to protect the right to maintain contact in law. Connection with loved ones is not an optional extra – it is essential to dignified care. Yet families are still being shut out of care settings, sometimes with heartbreaking consequences. A legal right to at least one Care Supporter would give people the protection and dignity they deserve, and ensure that no one is isolated when they need support the most.”
Helen Wildbore, director of Care Rights UK, commented: “We are heartened to see further Parliamentary support for Gloria’s Law from across the political spectrum. Yet, every day our adviceline hears from people who face barriers to supporting their loved ones in care – through visiting restrictions, closed cultures and more. We urge the Government to fulfil their manifesto commitment and bring forward a new legal right to a Care Supporter. Everyone should have peace of mind that their trusted friend or relative can be there to support them in health or care settings when they need it.”