The head of a Greenock care home says the right to meaningful visits for residents following the pandemic has led to clear improvements in the health of people being cared for, and the wellbeing of everyone involved.

New health and social care standards were introduced a year ago to deliver the Scottish government's promised Anne’s Law, giving people living in care homes rights to see loved ones and to name relatives or friends that they wish to be involved in their support and care plans.

Anne’s Law is based on commitments given in response to a campaign led by Natasha Hamilton who petitioned the Scottish parliament on behalf of Care Home Relatives Scotland. Natasha's mother, 63-year-old Anne Duke, who had dementia, was cut off from her family during the COVID-19 pandemic and died in November 2021.

In the petition, Ms Hamilton said:

‘We need a safe balance of recognising the risk of keeping residents safe from COVID, but not to the detriment of their overall health and we have to include loved ones here as well. They need to be recognised as partners in care and for the worth they bring when allowed into care homes. They are more than just visitors.’

On a visit to the Bagatelle Care Home, Health and Social Care Secretary Michael Matheson heard how a ‘Meaningful Visits Team’ set up there has improved the lives of those living in the home.

Chief Executive of Greenock Medical Aid Society, which runs the home, Andrea Wyllie, says visiting is a crucial part of residents’ lives:

“Since we introduced meaningful visits safely during the height of the pandemic, we’ve seen improvements in residents’ and family members’ overall wellbeing.

“Our data showed an increase in appetites and a significant decrease in those at risk of malnutrition. We saw moods lift and a feeling of life and buzz return into our care homes. We demonstrated that we could balance the rights of residents and family members in being back together, with the risks that increasing footfall could bring.”

Cathie Russell of Care Home Relatives Scotland said:

“We are pleased the Health Secretary is marking the one year anniversary of the new care standards which are helping to ensure people can still have contact with loved ones even during COVID and other outbreaks, and look forward to this approach being enshrined in Anne’s Law as a matter of urgency.”

The Anne’s Law legislation forms part of the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill which has now been delayed twice by the Scottish government amid concerns that MSPs have been given too little information about the national care service plans to make decisions about it in parliament.

The Stage 1 debate on the general principles of the legislation will now take place after the summer recess.

Mr Matheson said introducing the updated standards a year ago was a practical way in the interim to deliver the commitments made to families of people living in care homes:

“Strengthening the standards has allowed us to meet our pledge to introduce the provisions of Anne’s Law as quickly as possible by using existing legal powers. This has minimised disruption to visiting and I am glad to hear how this is already helping residents and their loved ones.”

 

Read more:  National Care Service Bill paused until June; Legal experts: NCS Bill too vague on human rights; National Outcome on Care campaign gains momentum;

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