Andrew RT Davies MS – the Shadow Health Minister – has reacted to the announcement today (November 23) that modular, portable buildings will be trialled in parts of Wales as “visitor pods” to allow visits to care home residents over Christmas.
Mr Davies said:
“Care-home residents and their families have suffered doubly during this pandemic, with high rates of death of people with Covid, and from separation, in some cases for eight months, from their families.
“This isolation has led to or worsened feelings of confusion and depression, and I hope that these pods will alleviate some of that before a return to real and meaningful contact – sitting down for a cuppa with your dad or mum, and being able to give them a hug for example – can take place.”
Some 100 units will be installed at care homes across the country for six months.
The Welsh Government said a £3million pilot scheme will be used to source, install, and lease the pods, with an initial 30 being ready for use before Christmas.
Mr Davies added:
“On the face of it, I welcome any measures taken to alleviate the distress many in care homes have had by not being able to see their loved ones in a safe environment. However, the trouble with ‘temporary’ measures is that they often become permanent. We can’t let this become the ‘new normal’ for some of our most vulnerable citizens.”
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