It’s almost 9 months now since 23 March 2020 thousands of families in NI have not been allowed into Care Homes to visit their loved ones, our very vulnerable in society.  Families have not been allowed to hold their hands or hug them.  Imagine the heartache and emotional turmoil for both.

The Department of Health issued new Government Guidance 23 Sept 2020 and there was a call to implement Care Partners - someone who’s had a long standing relationship with our elderly in Care Homes.  This meant visiting for the most important people in a residents life.

The September Government Guidance was endorsed by the NI Executive. 

Care Homes were given 6 weeks to implement - a reasonable timeframe.  Sadly,  there has been a broad refusal from Care Homes to implement the care partner role.

This must be a mandatory role and no time restrictions on visiting for Care Partners because it must be about meaningful and quality time together for family and residents - not about quantity.

The NI Executive must ensure that every Care Home in Northern Ireland implements Care Partners for each Resident without delay.

Considerable numbers of our vulnerable in Care Homes don’t understand what’s going on.  Some feel abandoned - their mental health and wellbeing has deteriorated.  Some of them feel nobody cares.  It’s really sad.

We need to strike a balance and manage the risks with appropriate PPE and good infection prevention control measures.