The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The relatives of a care home resident were stunned when all visitors were banned within days of admission.
Claire Ingham took her 77-year-old mother, who has dementia, to the home and was told just four days later that visitors were not welcome.
Southernwood House on Matmore Gate, part of Wellbeing Residential Ltd, stopped all members of the public from going in, including relatives.
But Claire said her mum, Ida Kind, would have been confused as to why no-one had been to see her.
Claire said: “My mum was in a new care home with dementia, confused and wondering why the heck we were not visiting.”
She had moved into the house on Friday, November 24. On a visit on Tuesday, November 28 Claire was refused access to see Ida due to the home being closed through a sickness bug.
Following a stroke two-years ago, Ida was diagnosed with vascular dementia.
Her family had cared for her themselves, but it reached the stage where Ida needed professional help.
The family and a friend, continued to turn up every day hoping to see her, but were refused entry until the home re-opened on Monday, December 4.
“My brother moved in with her to give her support at home.
“She has become particularly ‘demanding’ recently so we asked for help with some respite care. The social worker would not speak to me as I am not mum’s carer and I do not get, or want carer’s allowance which my brother gets.
“Even a phone call to families would have been a more appropriate way surely.”
The Voice twice tried to speak to the manager at Southernwood but the phone was hung-up when a comment was requested.
Claire also said she had to wait three days for a reply to an email.
When she did get one it said: “I understand you may feel it’s not appropriate action, but as the manager it is my responsibility to ensure the safe care and treatment of my residents. I feel my actions are appropriate.
“As you do not feel that the home are providing the necessary support care and treatment to your mother, I am happy for you to remove your mother from Southernwood house into your care and I will make the necessary arrangements.”
Tony McGinty, Interim Director of Public Health at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The advice to care homes is to limit visitors to only essential visits until everyone is well again.
“Clearly this is upsetting for family members who will worry about the person in the care home, but is important for limiting the duration of the problem.”
