By Lucy Ashton
Jackie Baillie has spoken of the despair of families who have been locked out of regular contact with their loved ones in care homes over much of the past two years.
The Dumbarton constituency MSP made a speech during a Scottish Labour debate at the Scottish Parliament last week pushing for the introduction of Anne’s Law.
Anne’s Law is aimed at ensuring care home residents can receive visits from relatives who should be treated in the same way as care staff.
Throughout the pandemic, many residents – including those in care homes in West Dunbartonshire, Helensburgh and Lomond – have been impacted by restrictions on visiting.
West Dunbartonshire care homes were among the worst affected by Covid. As at May last year, there were 16 Covid-related deaths at Castle View and Crosslet House and Balquhidder lost 11 residents each to Covid.
Jackie Baillie said: “Nowhere throughout our pandemic has there been greater or more costly failure than in Scotland’s care homes.
“The cost in human lives was tragic, and the suffering caused unimaginable. But care home residents and their families are still being failed.
Crozier sisters, Dorothy and Mary campaigned for more suitable visiting hours to see their mother Mary Rose at Crosslet House care home in Dumbarton.
“For months, as restrictions for the rest of the country eased, care homes remained under repeated lockdowns, causing harm and trauma for the residents and their families.
“Even now, residents who test positive are forced to isolate for a minimum of 10 days, and homes with recorded cases are closed to most visitors for at least a fortnight.
“Heartbroken relatives and lonely residents have been subjected to rolling lockdowns, ending all contact between them for weeks on end. I have been contacted by families who fear they will lose their loved ones because of the severe isolation they have suffered.
“This cannot go on. There is no vaccination for loneliness and isolation. The Scottish Labour motion gave the Scottish Parliament the chance to speak with one, united voice.
“Unfortunately, the SNP and Green MSPs chose not to and decided to vote against bringing in Anne’s Law now.
“As a result more families face further heartache and the risk of losing their loved ones because of the severe isolation that they face.”