Calls have been made to allow Rutherglen and Cambuslang locals to visit relatives in care homes.
The coronavirus pandemic, and the resulting restrictions that have been put in place, have left thousands of elderly people with no way to see their families.
Visits are currently allowed for “essential” purposes only, at the care home manager’s discretion.
It has prompted concerns regarding the mental health of many of the elderly, with dozens of doctors, health professionals, politicians and families signing an open letter in December calling for an end to months of isolation.
Cambuslang councillor Margaret Walker has now demanded changes are made and said: “Some people have not seen their families and loved ones for ten months.
“In South Lanarkshire, which has not come out of tier 4 restrictions and continues to be in lockdown, only essential visits have been allowed at the discretion of the care home manager.
“Under our Human Rights Act, public authorities have a legal duty to act compatibly with our human rights in all they do. The duty also applies when a resident’s care is being funded or arranged by the NHS or a local authority.
“In services such as care homes, they must respect, protect and fulfil people’s human right, including service delivery, policies and decision-making.
“The right to see family and loved ones has not been respected in our care homes in the highest tier areas across the UK for the last ten months.
“South Lanarkshire has consistently been subject to the most severe restrictions, therefore visiting rights have not been restored. It beggars belief that 10 months in we have no system in place that enables safe visiting in care homes.”
Councillor Walker, who represents Cambuslang West, has called for a test and tracing system to be put in place for residents and visitors to allow some visits.
Health secretary Jeane Freeman recently responded to the letter from health professionals and said: “While the Scottish Government can provide guidance, it is right we allow Directors of Public Health to make a decision on whether it is safe for visits to happen in care homes in their area.”
