Care England, the largest representative body of independent adult social care providers, has called for a review of Government guidance to facilitate care home residents to make trips or visits out.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:

“We need to ensure that the Prime Minister’s roadmap works for all including residents of care homes and people living in supported living environments”.

Professor Martin Green, CEO of Care England, gave evidence to the Joint Committee on Human Rights this afternoon where he emphasised the hard work that care providers had done to facilitate COVID safe visiting. He also highlighted the inconsistencies in the ‘visiting out’ guidance which did not seem to be aligned with the roadmap for the national lockdown.

Care England continues to work collaboratively with Department of Health and Social Care officials and to connect members directly with the Department in a meaningful way. Members have a real sense for what is workable, which is currently thwarted by the fourteen day isolation rule that residents and service users are subject to after a visit outside their home.

Martin Green continues:

“It is really hard to produce guidance that will accommodate everybody as there are so many different scenarios at play, but Care England wants to work with the Government to try. As the nation unlocks, residents want to resume their usual activities whether it is working aged adults with learning disabilities who want to go to work or college or older people residing in care homes who want to go to the park or an excursion. Care providers want to be able to support those in their care; their safety and wellbeing is of paramount importance”.