The government will be taken to court over care home visitor guidelines by John’s Campaign, according to media reports.
ITV News said the campaigners will this month launch a judicial review on a ban on care home visits after the government said it was too “busy” to respond to a legal letter calling for rules to be changed.
Current guidance in England allows local authorities and care home providers to decide whether or not to facilitate visits.
John’s Campaign argues government guidelines on care home visits violate human rights because they have led to blanket bans in areas with local lockdowns.
ITV reports the campaigners wants more flexible visitor guidelines that take into account residents’ personal circumstances.
John's Campaign told ITV News the government is "prioritising infection control while under-estimating or even disregarding the risks posed by social isolation, loneliness and depression. It fails to assess what risks (usually minimal) are actually posed by family members."
John's Campaign is a campaign founded in 2014 for extended visiting rights for family carers of patients with dementia in UK hospitals.
