Families with loved ones in Scottish care homes, who successfully managed to persuade the Scottish government to introduce legislation on visiting, are urging everyone affected by the issue to share their views in a consultation on how the changes can be achieved.

In a tweet, Care Home Relatives Scotland said:

“We need everyone that backs #anneslaw to take part, share, and encourage others to do the same. Residents must ALWAYS have access to a min of one person.”

The development of Anne’s Law follows a Care Home Relatives Scotland petition to the Scottish parliament lodged by Natasha Hamilton, who was unable to see her mother, Anne Duke, for prolonged periods during the height of the pandemic. The petition called on the Scottish parliament to urge the Scottish government to allow a designated visitor into care homes to support loved ones.

“We are very pleased to hear that the consultation for Anne’s Law is getting underway,” Natasha Hamilton said in a Scottish government release to mark the launch of the five week consultation.

“The pandemic has caused great suffering for residents and relatives and has really taken its toll on people’s mental and physical wellbeing.

“We have always believed that, even during outbreaks, nominated carers such as husbands, wives, parents, sons and daughters should be enabled to spend time with their loved ones just as staff do.

“We sincerely hope legislation can be enacted that recognises the importance of family life for people in care and the need for personal connection and touch.”

In their Programme for Government unveiled by the First Minister at the beginning of September, ministers undertook to: ‘strengthen residents’ rights in adult residential settings and bring in ‘Anne’s Law’ – giving nominated relatives or friends the same access rights to care homes as staff while following stringent infection control procedures, as called for by Care Home Relatives Scotland’

The government says that it wants to explore a range of legal and practical approaches that work for care home residents, their families and staff and say the relatively short period before the consultation closes at the beginning of November will allow changes to be included in the forthcoming National Care Service Bill, should that be seen as the best approach.

Social Care Minister Kevin Stewart says the government is committed to ensuring people who live in adult care homes have a guaranteed right to spend time with their loved ones:

“Social connections and meaningful activity are important for the wellbeing and quality of life of people living in adult care homes. For many residents, family members or friends also play a vital role in their care, complementing the support provided by care home staff.

“It is important that we hear views and suggestions on the proposals to achieve this so that we do it in the best possible way.

“We want to hear from as many people as possible to help shape the proposals – including people who live in adult care homes, their families and friends, care home providers and staff and a wide range of other stakeholders.”

You can read the consultation paper and respond to its proposals on the government’s consultation website, which also includes details of three workshops being run during October as part of the process.

A separate consultation on reviewing health and social care standards in Scotland closes on 15 October.

 

Read more: Covid: social care users “invisible” in routine data; Scots care home visiting rules lagged behind England; Care home families: “we are not unnecessary footfall”.

 

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