Elected members have called for a charter of rights for care home residents and their relatives to be introduced so family visits can be protected against any future pandemics.
Councillors unanimously agreed to write to the Scottish Government requesting this be produced so residents and their loved ones are clear on arrangements for contact moving forward.
Care home residents were denied visits from family members for around a year during the coronavirus outbreak to protect them from the potentially deadly infection.
A couple of designated visitors can now go into homes, however the well-being of many residents has been severely impacted by the extensive isolation with some becoming withdrawn, losing their appetite or feeling abandoned.
Councillor Alison Dowling, who lodged the motion requesting a charter of rights at the latest meeting, said this was "long overdue" to give clarity over visits in the future.
She said: "One of the most distressing aspects of the pandemic has been family members longing for contact with their loved ones in care homes.
"It’s long overdue a charter of rights for residents and relatives should be introduced which sets out the arrangements for contact and visiting, and I have asked the council to write to the Scottish Government with this recommendation.
"I recognise such a charter will take into consideration the impact of any future public health concerns, but we need clarity on care home visits that are future-proofed against any future pandemics.
"All care homes, in the public and private sector, also require to be appropriately resourced to meet the extra costs that visitor covid control measures are incurring.
"It’s vital that we never again find ourselves in the situation where our most vulnerable people are denied the contact and touch from family and friends that is critical for their well-being.
"As well-meaning as this means of dealing with covid transmission has been, in this case the medicine has been in danger of killing the patient."
Bespoke cabins have recently been installed in the gardens of three care homes which will allow visitors to spend more quality time with residents while taking account of regulations.
They have been installed in the gardens of Renfrew, Montrose and Hunterhill care homes, operated by Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP).
Councillor Dowling's motion also asked the HSCP to produce a report outlining its current and short-term intentions on resourcing, visits and contact arrangements.
Shiona Strachan, who has been acting as interim chief officer for Renfrewshire HSCP since December, told elected members this would be provided.
Ms Strachan is set to be replaced by Christine Laverty, who was appointed as new chief officer last week.
"This has been a distressing period for residents, their families and the staff across all of the care homes," said Ms Strachan.
"We have recognised increasingly the effect the infection control measures have had on residents and their families.
"I am happy to provide the report on contact, visiting and resourcing as requested."
