Boris Johnson faces calls to allow care home visits next week

BORIS Johnson is being urged to give the green light to care home visits NEXT WEEK in a new campaign.

After the success of the vaccine rollout, a new group Believe In Vaccine is launching to push the PM into allowing residents in care to be able to see loved ones again.

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In grow has started in partnership with several leading care home groups, including the Registered Nursing Home Association and John’s Campaign - which calls for extended visiting rights for family carers of patients with dementia in hospitals.

They argue that trips to care homes are now safe after all residents were vaccinated.

Elderly care home residents haven’t been able to see their loved ones for almost a whole year, and they are desperate to be reunited with their families.

They are calling for the ministers to start allowing care home visits, in a cautious and safe way, in line with the successful vaccination rollout.  

Ian Turner, Executive Chairman of the Registered Nursing Home Association said: “Care home residents were the first section of society to receive the vaccine.

“Now that they have been protected from Covid-19 it is vital we also protect them from the more imminent threats of loneliness, growing anguish, and deteriorating mental health.

'HOPE FOR THE FUTURE'

"We urge the Government to trust the science, believe in vaccines, and allow care home visits.”

Julia Jones, co-founder of John's Campaign added: "Essential caregivers are more than ‘just’ visitors - they are central to a person’s care.

“The vaccine is a game changer, and must allow residents and families to start making their own choices again, always acting responsibly and supported by the best infection control precautions that are now available.

"People need hope for the future and they also need actions.”

Tory MP Harriett Baldwin MP added: “We must follow the science and believe in vaccines – not only their ability to protect us from Covid, but to release us from these devastating lockdowns and restrictions too.

“Elderly care home residents haven’t been able to see their loved ones for almost a whole year, and three weeks from the end of January is 22nd February.

“If care homes are not starting to open to visitors, in a cautious and safe way, from Monday, ministers need to explain why not so that the public can retain their confidence in the way we are handling the pandemic.”

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