Case Studies

It's so positive to read reports in the media of families being reunited on Christmas Day in care homes due to rapid tests being rolled out, but sadly CCFTV has been contacted by families telling us it was still “no visits allowed ” or at best, one window visit permitted on Christmas Day. The majority of families that contacted us said they were deeply disappointed'' they couldn’t get to talk to loved ones and told of their sadness and frustration when learning many care homes did facilitate important contact.

''My mum's care home closed to all visiting from 23rd to 28th December. I booked a visit (which is behind a glass enclosure entered from outside door no contact with anyone) for Tuesday 29th, now they have said no visiting at all allowed as they are now in tier 4} and can't guarantee their staffs safety with the new strain as they have to clean the pods after visitors.'' Debs

''I had an unresponsive pod visit to see my Dad yesterday. He didn’t open his eyes or speak. Several family members have tried calling the care home all day to wish him a happy Christmas and no one has answered the phone. Where is the compassion? You would think that it would be a priority at Christmas when we all can’t be together or visit. They eventually got back to me at 6.00 pm to say he was in bed. His grandchildren are so upset.'' Jo F.

''Mum's care home has always tried to go over & beyond, but remain within all restrictions.'' Linda

''I went to see my husband today Christmas day, expecting to be in one room with my husband looking through the window of the opposite room (a substantial barrier) but no I was forced to stand outside a triple glazed window (so I had to shout and could not hear my husband) in the cold 0 degrees but no explanation for the change which will be reinstated on 28th December so nothing to do with Tier 4. When my time was up they got my husband up and walked away, they didn't say goodbye and didn't encourage my husband to say goodbye, I broke down in anguish and cried. My friend had an appointment but dinner was late nobody would help her, this is probably the last Christmas with her husband.'' Heather

'' I was lucky enough to have a fifteen-minute pod visit yesterday. It was just wonderful to see my mum, (even though a plastic screen with full PPE on.) Hoping everyone else gets the same chance soon'. Lesley

''My mother's care home won't allow residents to speak or see their relatives on Christmas Day. I sent flowers to my mum which she loves. I sent some on her birthday in August. I got delivered some to the care home in time for Christmas but staff won't allow my mum to have them in her room. They arrived on Monday and could have been quarantined. At the very least, someone could have picked up the phone to tell me this. How unfeeling to wait until Christmas Eve to tell me mum won't get her flowers. I'm sure she must think she has been forgotten. '' Louise

”No visit for us. The first Christmas in 53 years without seeing any of mums three children. We did a Skype, but but was barely coherent, as she was so tired after her lunch.” Holly

The above are just a few accounts from the hundreds of families that contacted Care Campaign for the Vulnerable telling us of their disappointment and upset when it was told care homes couldn't facilitate family visits around the festive period. We accept many homes went above and beyond to ensure safe visits so that families who had been apart for months could be reunited. Thank you to all the staff who worked so hard to allow visits on Christmas Day.