The rights of families to visit their loved ones in hospitals, hospices and care homes will be strengthened under plans being drawn up by Wes Streeting, The i Paper can reveal.
Ministers decided to act after a review found some NHS and social care institutions were imposing a blanket ban on visitors, as well as excluding relatives from decisions around the care of patients or care home residents.
Often the bans are put in place without explanation, the review said.
New measures, which could be reinforced by fresh legislation, will give relatives a default right to see patients and care home residents unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Hospitals, hospices and care homes will have to display posters in waiting and family rooms detailing their rights under the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) Regulation 9A of key standards.
Relatives will be offered routes to complain if they feel the rules are not being followed.
Regulation 9A, introduced two years ago, states that hospitals and care homes must facilitate visits for loved ones.
The plans will make sure this is being applied consistently across England, with the Government monitoring whether it is being followed.
The Government says there is a need for a “cultural change” across the health and care sectors and that ministers are considering bringing forward legislation to ensure it.
‘No one should be separated from their loved ones’
Stephen Kinnock, the minister for care, said: “No one should be separated from their loved ones unnecessarily. Contact with family and friends should not be seen as a luxury but a basic part of good care.
“This system must work for residents, patients and their loved ones and we are ensuring it does. These changes will protect patients and residents, give families a stronger voice, and help make sure care is more compassionate, open and humane.”
During the review of visiting rights, particular concerns were raised about blanket restrictions and family members being denied access to vulnerable patients, as well as residents and families being cut out of decisions around care or visitation.
In response, the Government will distribute comprehensive guidance and resources to make visitation rights clear.
Alongside posters or leaflets, the Government will advise care homes, hospitals and hospice providers on how to explain any necessary visitation restrictions to residents, patients and family members.
The Government will work closely with the CQC to monitor compliance and intervene where necessary.
Meaningful contact with loved ones is a fundamental aspect of high-quality, person-centred care, the Department of Health said.
Potential new legislation to strengthen visiting rights could include ways to ensure the culture of “open visiting” is embedded in the NHS and social care sectors.
The review of current practices included examining visiting data in care settings, focus groups, case studies from the public and campaigning groups and comparative research on what happens in other countries.
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