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Covid-19: Care home residents can go on outdoor trips without isolating Covid-19: Care home residents can go on outdoor trips without isolating
(32 minutes later)
Care home residents in England can now go on low-risk trips - such as to relatives' gardens or a local park - without having to self-isolate for 14 days when they return.Care home residents in England can now go on low-risk trips - such as to relatives' gardens or a local park - without having to self-isolate for 14 days when they return.
It comes after some families say they have felt "powerless" because of "restrictive" visits.It comes after some families say they have felt "powerless" because of "restrictive" visits.
One woman said her mother had not been outdoors for more than 12 months and it would be "amazing" to take her outside.One woman said her mother had not been outdoors for more than 12 months and it would be "amazing" to take her outside.
Campaigners now want the rule change to become law, rather than just guidance.Campaigners now want the rule change to become law, rather than just guidance.
Care home isolation rule axedCare home isolation rule axed
Two visitors for care home residentsTwo visitors for care home residents
Can I hug my relative in a care home?Can I hug my relative in a care home?
The government brought about the change because a fall in Covid cases meant it was now "much safer" for care home residents to go outside. It had been threatened with legal action by the charity John's Campaign over the isolation requirement.The government brought about the change because a fall in Covid cases meant it was now "much safer" for care home residents to go outside. It had been threatened with legal action by the charity John's Campaign over the isolation requirement.
The move, announced on Saturday, has now come into effect.The move, announced on Saturday, has now come into effect.
Jenny Morrison, co-founder of Rights for Residents - a group founded to end "inhumane restrictions" preventing relatives visiting loved ones in care homes - told BBC Breakfast the change would certainly make a difference for her family, saying: "Mum's care home is near the seafront. On a nice sunny day, after 14 months where she hasn't been outside, it will be amazing for us to wheel mum down to the seafront and have a picnic. It will just be absolutely wonderful."Jenny Morrison, co-founder of Rights for Residents - a group founded to end "inhumane restrictions" preventing relatives visiting loved ones in care homes - told BBC Breakfast the change would certainly make a difference for her family, saying: "Mum's care home is near the seafront. On a nice sunny day, after 14 months where she hasn't been outside, it will be amazing for us to wheel mum down to the seafront and have a picnic. It will just be absolutely wonderful."
Jenny Morrison said it would be wonderful to take her mother outsideJenny Morrison said it would be wonderful to take her mother outside
But she said some care homes were ignoring the guidance, with some families being given good access for visits, either indoors or outside, but others not. She said family members needed to be seen not as "just visitors" but as "essential components of people's care".But she said some care homes were ignoring the guidance, with some families being given good access for visits, either indoors or outside, but others not. She said family members needed to be seen not as "just visitors" but as "essential components of people's care".
A petition has been delivered to the government, calling for the guidance on visits to be made legally binding. A petition has been delivered to the government, calling for the guidance on visits to be made legally binding. It also calls for relatives of care home residents to be given essential caregiver status by law, so they could continue to visit loved ones in case of another lockdown.
David Finch, from Trowbridge, is hoping the care home where his wife Tricia, 74, lives will be implementing the changes. She has Alzheimer's and has been living at the care home since July 2020, yet her husband has never been inside.David Finch, from Trowbridge, is hoping the care home where his wife Tricia, 74, lives will be implementing the changes. She has Alzheimer's and has been living at the care home since July 2020, yet her husband has never been inside.
"Trish hasn't seen her family properly since July," he said. "The longer we go on with this separation, it's just deteriorating. I just need to be able to take her out, have a walk and feed the ducks."Trish hasn't seen her family properly since July," he said. "The longer we go on with this separation, it's just deteriorating. I just need to be able to take her out, have a walk and feed the ducks.
"The trouble with the care home situation is because they're only guidelines, the care homes are frightened to death of implementing something that could cause them problems.""The trouble with the care home situation is because they're only guidelines, the care homes are frightened to death of implementing something that could cause them problems."
What do the new rules for England mean?What do the new rules for England mean?
Only trips deemed as low-risk - to places such as gardens or parks - are exempt from the isolation ruleOnly trips deemed as low-risk - to places such as gardens or parks - are exempt from the isolation rule
Residents will also be allowed to vote in person in the local elections on ThursdayResidents will also be allowed to vote in person in the local elections on Thursday
Residents must be accompanied by a member of staff or nominated visitor and they have to follow social distancing at all timesResidents must be accompanied by a member of staff or nominated visitor and they have to follow social distancing at all times
They cannot meet in groups or go indoors - apart from to use toilets - and public transport should be avoidedThey cannot meet in groups or go indoors - apart from to use toilets - and public transport should be avoided
Overnight trips are not allowed and residents will have to self-isolate after attending medical appointmentsOvernight trips are not allowed and residents will have to self-isolate after attending medical appointments
There are different rules in the UK's devolved nations, with residents in Wales able to leave homes where there is no Covid outbreak, without isolating on their returnThere are different rules in the UK's devolved nations, with residents in Wales able to leave homes where there is no Covid outbreak, without isolating on their return
Scotland's guidance for care homes allows for residents to see loved ones outside of the care home, while rules for care homes in Northern Ireland vary by regionScotland's guidance for care homes allows for residents to see loved ones outside of the care home, while rules for care homes in Northern Ireland vary by region
Care home residents in England have been allowed one regular visitor since 8 March, in the first easing of lockdown.Care home residents in England have been allowed one regular visitor since 8 March, in the first easing of lockdown.
The daughter of another care-home resident spoke to BBC Radio 4's Today programme about the change in guidance.The daughter of another care-home resident spoke to BBC Radio 4's Today programme about the change in guidance.
Wendy, from Essex, said: "It's just been so tough. I feel like we've been forgotten and the families just feel so powerless. The visits have been so restrictive.Wendy, from Essex, said: "It's just been so tough. I feel like we've been forgotten and the families just feel so powerless. The visits have been so restrictive.
"It's been so difficult trying to have a simple conversation with my father through a screen.""It's been so difficult trying to have a simple conversation with my father through a screen."
She said the visits in care-home pods or gardens were only 20 minutes long, with both people wearing masks.She said the visits in care-home pods or gardens were only 20 minutes long, with both people wearing masks.
"They can't hear you, you can't hear them, you're watched as well - there's no privacy," she said. Wendy added that, as the only visitor allowed, "You have this terrible responsibility to try to keep memories of everyone else alive.""They can't hear you, you can't hear them, you're watched as well - there's no privacy," she said. Wendy added that, as the only visitor allowed, "You have this terrible responsibility to try to keep memories of everyone else alive."
A blowy, rainy day in many areas means even though family and friends can now take care home residents for a walk in the park or to visit their garden, few are likely to venture out.A blowy, rainy day in many areas means even though family and friends can now take care home residents for a walk in the park or to visit their garden, few are likely to venture out.
And as the guidance was only published on Saturday, homes have had little chance to put in place risk assessments and any staff support required.And as the guidance was only published on Saturday, homes have had little chance to put in place risk assessments and any staff support required.
Still, it is an important step forward for families who have become increasingly angry about the restrictions faced by residents of all ages as the rest of society opens up. Even when guidance is updated, some homes have chosen not to loosen restrictions.Still, it is an important step forward for families who have become increasingly angry about the restrictions faced by residents of all ages as the rest of society opens up. Even when guidance is updated, some homes have chosen not to loosen restrictions.
It is one of the reasons campaigners are presenting a petition to the prime minister today calling for one named relative or friend to be legally recognised as part of each resident's essential care team, so allowing them access to care homes whatever is happening.It is one of the reasons campaigners are presenting a petition to the prime minister today calling for one named relative or friend to be legally recognised as part of each resident's essential care team, so allowing them access to care homes whatever is happening.
Janet Shepherd from Utterby, Lincolnshire, says the new guidance means her partner could visit their garden, but added: "He's got dementia and coming-home trips would have to be on a progressive scale because it makes them anxious.Janet Shepherd from Utterby, Lincolnshire, says the new guidance means her partner could visit their garden, but added: "He's got dementia and coming-home trips would have to be on a progressive scale because it makes them anxious.
"I would like to spend more time with him during the day, seeing what he does and getting involved. Going for walks and taking picnics round and maybe taking a car trip. Coming home after such a long time might be too much for him.""I would like to spend more time with him during the day, seeing what he does and getting involved. Going for walks and taking picnics round and maybe taking a car trip. Coming home after such a long time might be too much for him."
Some have said there is not enough discretion for younger care home residents and there needs to be more easing of restrictions for them. Maggie Lyons, from Sheffield, said her 42-year-old son, who lives in a specialist care home for men with autism, is "desperate to have some kind of life".Some have said there is not enough discretion for younger care home residents and there needs to be more easing of restrictions for them. Maggie Lyons, from Sheffield, said her 42-year-old son, who lives in a specialist care home for men with autism, is "desperate to have some kind of life".
"We, his parents, can't have him to our home for an overnight stay," she said. "Young people in care homes are basically incarcerated."We, his parents, can't have him to our home for an overnight stay," she said. "Young people in care homes are basically incarcerated.
"When my other children can visit me on 17 May he might not be able to. Yes, I can take him to a park or sit in the garden but that isn't what he wants to do.""When my other children can visit me on 17 May he might not be able to. Yes, I can take him to a park or sit in the garden but that isn't what he wants to do."
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Anna Knight, chair of the Dorset Care Homes Association and manager of Harbour House Care Home in Bridport, said: "You can imagine how it would make you feel if you were completely imprisoned, as it were, in your home."Anna Knight, chair of the Dorset Care Homes Association and manager of Harbour House Care Home in Bridport, said: "You can imagine how it would make you feel if you were completely imprisoned, as it were, in your home."
She said it had not just been difficult for residents but for families and staff members as well, adding: "Everybody has really struggled."She said it had not just been difficult for residents but for families and staff members as well, adding: "Everybody has really struggled."
Ruthie Henshall on care home visits: "It is beautiful to see the joy in her"Ruthie Henshall on care home visits: "It is beautiful to see the joy in her"
Ms Knight said her care home was now putting plans in place to allow visits outside the home to happen.Ms Knight said her care home was now putting plans in place to allow visits outside the home to happen.
"It's going to be fantastic," she told Today. "I know the families are already excited.""It's going to be fantastic," she told Today. "I know the families are already excited."
She said the previous guidance had been "sensible" but now was the time to start "learning to live with this".She said the previous guidance had been "sensible" but now was the time to start "learning to live with this".
'Could have come sooner''Could have come sooner'
Mike Padgham, who runs four care homes in North Yorkshire and is chair of the Independent Care Group, said the move represented limited progress.Mike Padgham, who runs four care homes in North Yorkshire and is chair of the Independent Care Group, said the move represented limited progress.
"It's great news, but personally I think it could have come a bit sooner because people have not been able to have their freedom in care homes for well over a year," he said. He added there had not been enough notice given, saying: "The public want to make arrangements and we're not quite geared up for it yet," he added."It's great news, but personally I think it could have come a bit sooner because people have not been able to have their freedom in care homes for well over a year," he said. He added there had not been enough notice given, saying: "The public want to make arrangements and we're not quite geared up for it yet," he added.
The government is expected to review the self-isolation requirement for other visits when it reaches the next stage of the road map for easing coronavirus restrictions.The government is expected to review the self-isolation requirement for other visits when it reaches the next stage of the road map for easing coronavirus restrictions.
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Are you or a family member a care home resident? Are you able to take a "low-risk trip" today? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you or a family member a care home resident? Are you able to take a "low-risk trip" today? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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