PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Care Homes: Visits (8 February 2021)

Question Asked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to allow the resumption of close contact care home visits; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by:
Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat)

Answer

In the face of a new variant of the virus we have acted to protect those most at risk in care homes and while advising how visits can go ahead safely in some form. As set out in updated visiting guidance, visits to care homes can continue to take place with arrangements such as substantial screens, visiting pods or behind windows. Close-contact indoor visits are not currently advised. As has been the case throughout the pandemic, visits in exceptional circumstances including end of life should always be supported and enabled.

We recognise how important it is to allow care home residents to meet their loved ones safely. We are looking to enable a wider range of visiting arrangements available when it is safe to do so. We will publish updated guidance as this period of national restrictions ends.


Answered by:
Helen Whately (Conservative)
17 February 2021

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