A local public health official has challenged the government over new care home guidance, which he has condemned as a “backwards step”.
The new guidance tells residents to only leave care homes for medical appointments or in exceptional circumstances. On their return they will need to isolate for 14 days.
Richard Webb, director of health and adult services at North Yorkshire County Council, has raised his concerns about the new guidance with the Department for Health and Social Care.
He believes that residents should be able to leave care homes.
Mr Webb said:
“The government guidance is quite restrictive about people in care homes taking trips out. We felt that was a backwards step.
“If you live in a care home you are entitled to get some fresh air. We were a bit disappointed to see some further restrictions. We have raised that with the Department for Health and Social Care.
“As long as it is done safely we would like to see people enjoy the spring sunshine as the rest of us can. Hopefully that will be looked at and we can give some better news in the future.”
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This comes as residents at a care home on Claro Road, which is run by Disability Action Yorkshire, said they will defy the guidance as it was a “clear breach” of their human rights.
Jackie Snape, chief executive of the charity, has written to Harrogate MP, Andrew Jones. She warned him that he will receive furious e-mails as a result of the guidance.
She said:
“For the people that live at 34 Claro Road this is devastating. They are young people who just want to have the same freedoms as everyone else.
“They are seeing pictures of groups enjoying a beer outside the pub and they are being told they can’t even go for a walk around the block.”
