Care Settings Family Visits 2023-07-11
2023-07-11
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The issue concerns the importance of allowing family members to visit loved ones in care homes, hospitals, and hospices. National guidance is followed by most health and care providers.
What steps he is taking to ensure that people in care settings are permitted family visits. The national guidance is generally followed but there is concern about potential restrictions affecting families' ability to visit their loved ones in care homes, hospitals, and hospices.
I know how important it is for people in care homes, hospitals and hospices to see their family and friends. The majority of health and care providers follow national guidance. I do not want anyone to worry about not being able to visit a loved one, which is why in June we launched a consultation to change the law on visiting.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific steps taken or planned to ensure family visits are permitted were not detailed. The answer was more general and referenced a future consultation.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The hon. Member introduced his ten-minute rule Bill, the Care Supporters Bill, to ensure that care supporters are recognised in law and have legal standing. The current lack of investigation by the Care Quality Commission on individual cases is an issue.
As the Minister knows, last month I introduced my ten-minute rule Bill, the Care Supporters Bill, to make sure that we recognise in law the value of the care of a loved one. Will her consultation differentiate between a care supporter and a visitor? Currently, the Care Quality Commission does not investigate individual cases. Will it have the power to do that in future?
First, I commend the hon. Member for his campaign on this issue. He has been a powerful advocate and draws on his own experience, as do I. He is probably asking me to pre-empt the outcome of the consultation. I encourage him and others concerned about this matter to put their views into that consultation, and we will respond once it is closed.
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Assessment & feedback
The question was not directly answered; instead, the Minister encouraged further input through a future consultation without addressing whether the CQC would investigate individual cases or differentiate between care supporters and visitors in law.
Encouraged Further Input
Asked To Pre-Empt Outcome
Response accuracy