To ask the Minister of Health (i) how he is supporting and facilitating long-term intervention plans for dementia patients suffering a regression of their condition in private nursing homes; (ii) for his assessment of the impact of no family visits on such patients during periods of COVID lockdown; and (iii) for an estimate of any increase in nursing home residents whose dementia has regressed since the start of the first lockdown.

Dementia is a progressive condition and it is understood that over the period of the pandemic, people’s condition will have changed regardless of where they reside. However, we are not currently aware of any scientifically based evidence to indicate that the condition of persons with a dementia, living in care homes, has progressed more than may have been the case had the Covid-19 restrictions not been introduced.

(i) In regards to long term plans for those living with dementia in care homes, in addition to the restoration of visits by family members, professional staff will be undertaking visits to care homes, as part of the post-Covid-19 Recovery/Re-build programme drawn up in all HSC Trusts. Clinics (Memory Services) will be provided where assessments/reviews will be undertaken and new care plans with immediate and longer term objectives/interventions developed as appropriate.

(ii) While there is no substitute for face-to-face visits and physical contact with loved ones, we have had to do what was reasonable in the circumstances to ensure the safety and well-being of residents, families, staff and others, for as long as the pandemic remains a threat. However, I appreciate that this will have been a difficult time for those in care homes particularly, and their families.

The Department, Health and Social Care Board (HSCB), Public Health Agency (PHA) and HSC Trusts have been working tirelessly to restore normal routines as quickly as possible and in line with any public health advice.

Trust staff and others from the Community and Voluntary (C&V) sector and care home providers have continued throughout the pandemic to support people in care homes to maintain contact with families even if that was only virtually or with some restrictions in place e.g restrictions relating to social distancing and physical contact.

It remains my position that care home visiting and implementation of the care partner role is of critical importance to the health and wellbeing of care home residents and in particular those with a dementia. New guidance to facilitate increased visiting in all care settings in Northern Ireland has been issued, and came into effect from 7 May 2021 (https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/Covid-19-visiting-guidance). The new visiting guidance for care homes sets out an agreed new approach to supporting safe and proportionate increased visiting in care homes. This includes updated arrangements for the safe management of care home residents receiving visitors, as well as residents being able to visit other households, community facilities and take part in excursions.

(iii) At this point we have no reliable evidence as to the extent that a person’s dementia may have progressed adversely as a result of an extended lock down period(s). As stated above, dementia is a progressive condition and its prognosis will vary from person to person. Different circumstances and experiences will influence the way in which people react or how their condition develops.