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Frances Heaton has been unable to leave her care home for much of the pandemic, with her heartbroken family shouting and waving at her through closed windows.

Her daughter Linda Barley, 72, said: “We are all really concerned. It’s a constant worry about what is going to happen.

“It’s all very well having guidelines, but care homes just make their own rules. While the rest of the country can travel, go to football and concerts, relatives of people in care have to fight to see their loved ones.

“We are not visitors, we are family, and we shouldn’t have to fight.”

Family visiting bans have continued for 21 months since the start of the pandemic, in contravention of official guidance, and have been described as a gross human rights abuse.

If visits are allowed this Christmas, residents will be made to choose which specific family members they want to see.

Families have been told only three will be allowed in under updated guidance hastily drawn up in the face of the Omicron crisis.

Former teacher Linda has Essential Care Giver status and can visit her mother’s room and take her out.

Frances’s other daughter Christine lives 300 miles away. The situation has left the family fearing a miserable Christmas apart.

Linda said: “I will never forgive or forget what has been allowed to happen.

“The impact has been huge. Mum calls me crying and her family can’t see her. It’s constant stress.”

Frances, from Leeds, said: “I hope very soon care homes will open up and families can all be together, before it is too late.”

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COMMENT BY HELEN WILDBORE

With days to go before Christmas, people in care find themselves left behind once again.

While the rest of the country is free to enjoy parties, reconnect with family, even use Covid passes to go clubbing, care home residents are facing a depressing repeat of last Christmas.

No Covid pass is on offer as they are dictated to by Government guidance, allowing them three “visitors” plus an essential caregiver.

Many callers to our helpline find themselves reliving the trauma of last Christmas when they couldn’t see partners, mums, dads, sisters, brothers or dear friends. But this time around, emotionally it seems to be worse.

People in care have been failed by the very systems designed to protect their rights. With a public inquiry around the corner, we will make sure these failings come to light. But by then it will be too late for many, who fear this Christmas will be their last.

To have to choose which three relatives or friends to spend it with must be heartbreaking.

• Helen Wildbore – Relatives and Residents Association Director

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