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Stronger visiting rights for people in health and care settings |
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Patients and residents in care homes, hospitals and hospices will no longer be cut off from their loved ones unless in exceptional circumstances, under a government drive to strengthen visiting rights and end blanket bans. Families and friends play a vital role in care, wellbeing and dignity - yet too many people have still faced unnecessary barriers to visiting, including being excluded from key decisions about their care. Health and care providers are required to make sure those in health and care settings can see their families and loved ones, but a government review has revealed that many people continue to face barriers in visitation. Particular concerns were raised about blanket restrictions and family members being denied access to vulnerable patients, as well as residents and families being cut out of decisions around care or visitation. In recognition of these issues, and as part of a push to deliver cultural change and compliance across all health and care settings, the government will distribute comprehensive guidance and resources to make visitation rights clear. To make sure people’s rights are being protected, the government will work closely with the CQC to monitor compliance and intervene where necessary. Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, said: “No one should be separated from their loved ones unnecessarily. Contact with family and friends should not be seen as a luxury but a basic part of good care. “This system must work for residents, patients and their loved ones and we are ensuring it does. These changes will protect patients and residents, give families a stronger voice, and help make sure care is more compassionate, open and humane.” Meaningful contact with loved ones is a fundamental aspect of high-quality, person-centred care and mitigates the impact of isolation of individuals in health and care settings. Resources that health and care settings will receive include:
These will be co-produced with people who have experience of the system so they reflect the real needs, and we will work closely with the CQC to make sure visiting is a core part of its reform and improvement programme. Ministers are exploring bringing forward proposals for legislating visiting rights as part of wider reform work. This would further strengthen the framework around visiting rights - embedding a culture of open visiting and reinforcing the right to be supported by loved ones in setting across health and social care. Care Rights UK CEO, Helen Wildbore, said: "We should all be able to have the support of our closest friends or family when we need them. We continually support older people who have access to their trusted loved ones restricted, limiting vital practical support they offer, and causing serious detriment to wellbeing and dignity. We welcome the news that ministers are exploring legislative change to promote the importance of family and carers as equal partners in care. The legal right to a Care Supporter would ensure everyone has access to their trusted loved one when they most need support". |
The Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, visited Lincolnshire last week as part of a national public health tour to understand how health and care services are delivered in rural and market town settings.
Among those who met Professor Whitty were Mark Turton from LinCA, Derek Ward, Vicki Pruteanu and David Clark from Lincolnshire County Council, and Alice O’Hare and Jessy Romy from Tanglewood Care Home.
The visit was organised by the Health Protection Team at Lincolnshire County Council as part of a broader programme across the county. Professor Whitty visited Tanglewood Care Home in Horncastle and other areas in Lincolnshire to discuss the specific challenges faced by rural and market towns in delivering high‑quality health and social care services.
During a round‑table discussion several critical issues affecting rural care provision were explored, including infection prevention and control, partnership working, rural delivery challenges and the unique barriers faced in rural and coastal communities, health inequalities and deprivation, and system resilience and preparedness.
LinCA and partners outlined how the local workforce consistently rises to national and local challenges, maintaining quality care through proactive management, strong leadership and seasonal preparedness measures designed to protect residents during periods of heightened infection risk.
The visit provided an important opportunity to showcase Lincolnshire’s collaborative approach to health protection and to ensure that the voice of rural care providers is heard at a national level.
LinCA’s involvement reinforced the crucial role the association plays in representing the care sector, supporting best practice and advocating for policies that reflect the realities of delivering care in rural communities.
Home From Home Care had a clean sweep at the Lincolnshire Care Association Rising Star Awards which gave honours to three of their employees.
John Charman was the overall Rising Star winner while the two highly commended candidates were Mia Kruger and Riley Watts.
All three work for Lincoln-based care provider Home From Home Care, which has 11 settings supporting adults with complex needs across Greater Lincolnshire.
This year the Rising Star Awards were presented at a separate ceremony at Lincoln College, which sponsored the event. John, Mia and Riley will all be invited to attend the main Lincolnshire Care Awards ceremony at the Doubletree by Hilton Lincoln in March 2026.
The awards were presented by the Deputy Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, Councillor Ingrid Sheard; Steven Horsfield from Lincoln College; and Melanie Weatherley MBE, Chair of the Lincolnshire Care Association.
“Everyone at Home from Home Care is incredibly proud of our award winner and our two highly commended colleagues,” said Sam Morris, Leadership and Development Manager at Home From Home Care.
“Supporting new colleagues as they grow in confidence and capability is central to our values, and it’s wonderful to see their dedication and potential recognised through the Rising Star Awards.
“These achievements reflect not only individual commitment and achievement, but also the supportive culture we strive to create across our services.”
Councillor Sheard commented: “What an amazing awards evening surrounded by such dedicated, hard-working, inspirational people who really do put the care and wellbeing of their residents at the heart of everything they do.
“It was wonderful to see the passion and compassion that each and every one involved had, and I hear so many wonderful stories about their caring journeys and how they have been assisted in their career pathways.
“Well done and congratulations and thanks to every single person who is involved in this difficult and varied industry. For anyone looking for a rewarding career I would highlight the fantastic work done by everyone at these awards.”
Melanie Weatherley MBE added: “The Rising Star Award recognises people who are relatively new to their role and who, despite their short time in the sector, show real passion and have made a positive impact on the people they support.
“We were delighted to receive so many fabulous nominations this year, and we send our warmest congratulations to John, Mia and Riley on their success.”
There was plenty of competition for the Rising Star Award this year, with 20 other young people nominated for the prize.
The other nominees were:
Barchester Healthcare
Beckfield House Care Home
The Haven (Black Swan Care Group)
Earlybird Lifestyle Support
Good Companions Spalding
Holly Tree Lodge Care Home
Home from Home Care
Honeycomb Care
Sarah Respite Care
The Old Hall Billingborough
Walnut Care
Welbourn Manor
White Gables
The Lincolnshire Care Awards ceremony will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Lincoln in March 2026.
The Budget delivered by the Chancellor yesterday has left adult social care out in the cold.
There was no mention of our vital sector in the speech itself, or even in the red book details. The Chancellor announced much needed digital investment in the NHS and children’s services, but nothing at all for adult social care.
We have no argument with increases to the minimum wage; we have always said that our care workers need to be paid more, and these rises are fair and reasonable, particularly as tax thresholds have been frozen. But for these pay rises to be sustainable it is vital that local authorities are in a position to reflect this in their fees for 2026/27. This means more money for adult care from central government.
The so-called Mansion Tax will likely have little impact in Lincolnshire, where property prices are lower than the national average, and it’s worrying that even these revenues will go to central government rather than being available to spend locally. Taxes on the wealthy such as this may only make the burden of paying for social care worse as self-funders run out of money.
Overall, this Budget feels like an exercise in tinkering round the edges rather than addressing the problem. The adult social care sector is at a financial breaking point, and yet this opportunity to ease our funding challenges has been missed. It seems that the government is content to wait for Baroness Casey’s review before it takes action.
