Senior Plaid Cymru MP urges Boris Johnson to end isolation of dementia sufferers

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Liz Saville Roberts said the rights of elderly people were often overlooked as she told of her fear at being separated indefinitely from her mother who has the disease. Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader choked back tears as she told the Commons her mother, Dr Nancy Saville, was diagnosed with dementia just before Christmas.

Addressing Mr Johnson during Prime Minister’s Questions, she said: “There remain many care homes and hospitals where even the most minimal visits can be denied ‑ leading to separation, which cause irreversible damage to well-being.

“Does he agree with me that the human rights of disabled people, sick people and the elderly are not fair-weather luxuries, and that everyone with dementia, wherever they live, has the right to family life?”

Extending his “deepest sympathies”, Mr Johnson said: “We do have to try to strike a balance and prevent the epidemic taking hold in care homes.”

It comes as a coalition of groups has written to local health and care leaders calling on them to ensure that restrictions on contact are proportionate.

Helen Wildbore, director of the Relatives & Residents Association, said: “Untold damage to health and wellbeing is being caused in the name of keeping people safe.”

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