COVID-19 AND CARE HOME VISITING – REQUEST TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
KRW LAW LLP (KRW) is instructed by a number of families who have vulnerable loved ones who are resident in care homes across Northern Ireland. We also advise Care Home Advice and Support Northern Ireland (CHASNI) a support and campaign group.
The current Covid-19/coronavirus pandemic has inevitably meant restricted access to visiting care homes. This has led to distress to both residents and their families. In September 2020 Robin Swann MLA, Health Minister issues guidance on visiting care homes including introducing care partners.
Those we represent complain that the guidelines are not being implemented to the detriment of those in their care and their families. The guidance states: “Each care home should work to introduce and support “care partner” roles.” This is not happening.
Today KRW has written to the Attorney General in her capacity as Chief Legal Adviser to the Executive requesting that she advise the Health Minister to legislate to ensure the guidance becomes law which can then be enforced, regulated and subject to sanction is there is a breach or failure to implement the care home visiting regime during the current crisis.