A woman who has been unable to regularly visit her 84-year-old mother in hospital said continuing covid restrictions are "senseless" and have left her mum feeling isolated.
Georgina Rochford's 84-year-old mother Shelagh was admitted to Whiston Hospital at the end of January having suffered a hip fracture and subsequently received a hip replacement.
She was discharged three weeks later but then readmitted on February 25 as the wound had become infected. The ward she was admitted to had introduced restrictions on visitors because of Covid-19.
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Ms Rochford said as the restrictions continued she was unable to regularly see her mother who she says was 'suffering mental distress' from the lack of contact with family members as well as her physical pain and discomfort.
The St Helens and Knowsley Trust said it has followed national covid guidance, which states during a ward outbreak, visiting restrictions must be in place to prevent the spread of infection.
But Ms Rochford said she believes in 2023 these rules are now "senseless and barbaric."
She said: "My mother is suffering acute mental distress from the lack of contact with her family. This is imposed on her in addition to her physical distress pain and discomfort from the further two operations she has had to endure without the support of her family.
"She is unable to have the reassurance of seeing or hugging her family. Also - as she is deaf - she is unable to hear phone conversations from her family, it's horrendous and very distressing for her. As her daughter, I think these restrictions are senseless, barbaric and ultimately inhumane."
She asked: "Is using covid a legitimate reason in March 2023 to deny patients (in hospitals and care homes) visits from their family?"
Ms Rochford said that on one occasion she was able to visit her mother but that was the only time she was permitted to between February 25 and March 21 when restrictions were lifted.
She added: "This meant we couldn't spend Mother's Day with her. She had told me that she has found it soul-destroying not having visitors. It has definitely taken a mental toll on her."
A Trust spokesperson said: “The Trust continues to follow national Covid-19 guidance which clearly states that during a ward outbreak, visiting restrictions must be put in place to prevent the spread of infection and to protect patients, visitors, and staff.
"We are sorry to hear that the patient’s family have not felt supported at this time. We encourage regular contact with the ward, and if families have any concerns about their loved one, then exemptions can be made based on individual needs. Our patient experience team can also assist with virtual visiting and can assist those with any additional needs."
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