A petition has been launched calling for visits to care homes to be resumed, with concerns a lack of contact with loved ones is causing severe mental distress for residents.

Since early March, visits to care homes have been restricted as part of efforts to try to reduce the spread of covid-19.

Pauline Rodger, whose has been unable to see her mother since that time, says it is causing another “national and personal tragedy”, on top of the deaths from the virus.

She said residents in isolation, some of whom are living with dementia, are growing increasingly confused and suffering severe mental distress because they cannot see their loved ones.

In a petition she said: “I care about this issue because my 88-year-old mum is in this position, and is suffering more every minute she cannot see her family. She has Alzheimer’s, and calls family members every day begging to be allowed to see them.

“I also know that she is not alone, and hundreds of people are suffering in the same way all over Scotland.

“Many have no idea what is going on beyond their own bedrooms let alone understanding the severity of a pandemic.”

Care homes have borne the brunt of the pandemic in Scotland, with suggestions the mortality rate could be as high as 40-50%.

The Scottish Government’s route map out of lockdown, published last week, says the situation in care homes remains a “serious concern”.

It acknowledges restricted visiting and a pause of normal routines Is having a “significant impact on the wellbeing of residents and their loved ones”.

The document says the introduction of “designated visitors” to care homes will be considered during phase one of the easing lockdown of restrictions.

Phase two will see the phased resumption of visiting by family members “where it is clinically safe to do so.

But Ms Rodger is urging Health Protection Scotland to issue guidance to care homes to allow visits to happen now and the Scottish Government to provide the resources needed to make it happen.

She added: “Every day of delay is another day in which our vulnerable friends and relatives will be experiencing extreme distress and confusion, irreversibly damaging their mental and physical health.

“They cannot wait for weeks or months for authorities to ‘consider’ letting them see relatives.”

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