Chipping Barnet MP, Theresa Villiers, has called on the Government to start to normalise hospital visiting.
In a question and answer session with the Prime Minister in Parliament on lifting remaining Covid rules, Theresa pointed out that many hospitals continue to place severe restrictions on hospital visits, even with significant improvement in the Covid situation.
Speaking afterwards, Theresa said “A number of constituents have contacted me telling me of their distress about not being able to visit their relatives in hospital. It is especially important to allow visits to someone who is frail and elderly or who may have cognitive impairments. These patients will often need their family with them to help with communication and with eating.”
“Allowing visits to hospitals and care homes is an issue I have raised several times in Parliament. We need to show compassion here. Of course I understand that the risks of infection need to be minimised but I very much hope hospitals can ensure that vulnerable elderly people are not cut off from their families while in hospital.”
“The success of the vaccination has enabled us to make big changes in the way we respond to the pandemic and a more flexible approach to hospital visits should be part of that.”
Hansard report the 21st February exchange between Theresa Villiers and Prime Minister Johnson as follows:
Theresa Villiers (Chipping Barnet) (Conservative)
One of the cruellest aspects of the pandemic has been that many people have been unable to visit their sick or even dying relatives in hospital. Visiting has still been very difficult even with the improvement in the covid situation. Will the Prime Minister make sure that this is the day when NHS visiting requirements in our hospitals go back to normal? That is the humane and compassionate thing to do.
The Prime Minister
I know that my right hon. Friend speaks for millions of people around the country. I can tell her that many, many restrictions have already been lifted, and they will continue to be lifted.
Theresa Villiers also recently raised these issues in a call with the chair of the Royal Free Group, Mark Lam. The Royal Free have responsibility for managing Barnet Hospital.
