Care provider questions care home isolation rule

Care England has called for a review of government guidance that requires anyone who makes a visit out of a care home to isolate in their room for two weeks afterwards.

New government guidance states that any care home residents who leave the premises, whether it is working-aged adults with learning disabilities who want to go to work or college or older people residing in care homes who want to go on an excursion, must quarantine in their room for 14 days on their return.

Professor Martin Green, CEO of Care England, gave evidence to the Joint Committee on Human Rights and highlighted the inconsistencies in the ‘visiting out’ guidance which did not seem to be aligned with the roadmap for the national lockdown.

residents want to resume their usual activities whether it is working-aged adults with learning disabilities who want to go to work or college or older people residing in care homes who want to go to the park or an excursion.

Professor Martin Green said: ‘We need to ensure that the Prime Minister’s roadmap works for all including residents of care homes and people living in supported living environments.

‘It is really hard to produce guidance that will accommodate everybody as there are so many different scenarios at play, but Care England wants to work with the government to try.

‘As the nation unlocks, residents want to resume their usual activities whether it is working-aged adults with learning disabilities who want to go to work or college or older people residing in care homes who want to go to the park or an excursion.

‘Care providers want to be able to support those in their care; their safety and wellbeing is of paramount importance.’

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said it is constantly assessing risks involved in out of care home visits.

‘We understand contact with family and friends is vital to the health and wellbeing of residents and we are doing everything we can to provide safe opportunities to meet.

‘As part of the roadmap out of lockdown, we have updated guidance for care homes to support residents to enjoy out of care home visits in the safest way possible, while also providing more opportunities for visits to take place in care homes.

‘Guidance on visits out of care homes will be kept under review including when the data shows it is safe, the requirement for residents to isolate on their return from a visit.’

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