Keeping in Touch in Difficult Times

We’ve designed this Help Sheet in response to hearing concerns about blanket bans that prevent people keeping in contact with their friends and families. These restrictions have a big impact on a person’s mental health and well-being. Especially now, when visits have stopped and many people are no longer allowed out.

There are different ways that people can be supported to keep in touch with loved ones. We share these in the Help Sheet with examples we have heard about. Some hospitals are taking a positive and individual approach to risk. More need to do so. It is important to think about the different ways we can support people and their families in these difficult times.

It's also important to remember that the Human Rights Act is still very much in force. Article 8 is the right to respect for private and family life, home and correspondence: which includes email, letters and other ways of keeping in touch. Legislation means that health and care workers have a duty to respect that right, protect that right and fulfil that right for people, whether someone is in hospital or living at home. We hope that this guide helps you do that.

To view the guide click here