Coronavirus: Hampshire families will be allowed to visit loved ones in care homes thanks to testing pilot

From Monday, tests will be offered to one relative or friend of residents living in care homes across Hampshire as part of a government pilot to end restrictions on visits and allow loved ones to meet indoors without screens.

The scheme - which will take place in 20 care homes across Hampshire, Devon and Cornwall - will be rolled out to other regions before Christmas, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: ‘I know how heartbreaking restricting visits to care homes has been, not only for residents – many of whom will feel disoriented and confused by the situation – but also their loved ones who aren’t able to simply hug each other to support them in this difficult time.

‘By respecting social distancing and staying at home as much as possible we will help reunite families and friends with loved ones in care homes as quickly as possible.’

Minister for Care Helen Whately added: ‘As Christmas approaches, I want to bring an end to the pain of separation and help care homes bring families and loved ones together. The launch of visitor testing is a crucial step to making that happen.’

The Alzheimer’s Society praised the government for trying to reunite care home residents with their family and friends but worried the pilot may have come too late for some.

A spokesman for the charity said: ‘We worry it is too little too late for the desperate families who have been waiting eight months to visit their loved ones.

SEE ALSO: Solent Mind launches out-of-hours coronavirus mental health helpline

‘The promise of care home visitors being at the front of the line to get more ring-fenced tests as the new ones become available must fast become reality.

‘We have to recognise the terrible mental health toll on people with dementia simply giving up on life as well as on the many thousands of grieving families who haven’t been able to be with their loved ones in their last months, weeks and days, and who will never be able to get that precious time back.’

The regular testing will be used in combination with other protective measures such as PPE.

Keep up to date with the latest coronavirus news in Portsmouth with our Coronavirus Updates Facebook group.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news online - as well as our new Puzzles section.