Campaign Stepped Up To Overturn ‘Barbaric' Care Home Restrictions

Campaigners are taking the Government to court over a ruling that forces care home residents to isolate for 14 days if they take a trip outside.

- Giles Sheldrick

While millions are tasting newfound freedoms this month, many lonely pensioners trapped inside for more than a year now face the “barbaric” restrictions.

The John’s Campaign group and law firm Leigh Day have launched the legal fight to overturn the ruling.

Shameful

They called it a “shameful disregard for people who have already lost more than a year from their lives”.

A pre-action letter sent to the Department of Health and Social Care says the requirement, in force from April 12, creates an “unacceptable risk of illegality because it requires care homes to act unlawfully”.

John’s Campaign is named after Dr John Gerrard, who had Alzheimer’s disease and died in November 2014, following a stay in hospital. It was set up in 2014 to lobby for extended visiting rights for family carers.