The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has warned care providers it will chase down instances where care homes are not allowing visits in accordance with government guidance.
The Department of Health and Social Care released new guidance on 31 January that lifts visiting restrictions in care homes.
The CQC said it has received visiting concerns regarding 189 services since 1 December, of which 82 were allegations of blanket bans.
“We have reviewed every concern raised with us and taken action where needed, including following up with providers, inspecting, raising safeguarding alerts where applicable and following up with local authorities,” it added.
“Our expectation remains that care homes follow government guidance - which is now to ensure visiting is unrestricted and we will follow up in instances where we are made aware that this may not be happening.”
CQC chief inspector of adult social care said the pandemic has had an “unprecedented impact” on care home residents and their families, and it is vital for people to be able to “spend crucial time with the people they love”.
"We have taken decisive action throughout the pandemic to help keep people safe in care settings including undertaking over 12,000 inspections, and making absolutely clear to providers that not following government guidance is unacceptable and may trigger an inspection,” she added.
“Where concerns have been raised with us in relation to visiting we have, taken a range of action, including following up with providers, inspecting, taking regulatory action and where applicable, raising safeguarding alerts with local authorities.”
Terroni continued: "We continue to seek assurances from care home providers about how they are supporting visiting to happen and we are verifying this information when we go out and inspect and will continue to do so. We have introduced a mandatory question on each of our care home inspections which looks at how visiting is being supported to happen in a safe way."
