A huge number of people across the United Kingdom are being denied access to their loved ones in residential care homes completely, or allowed very restricted access, which does little to improve the situation. More importantly, those loved ones are living in immense fear and loneliness in their final and most vulnerable years. 

We want the Department for Health & Social Care and local government to provide the 15 minute result Covid-19 testing facility for family visitors to all care homes as soon as possible (as we've seen so many are available in Liverpool for anyone to take, with symptoms of Covid, or not). These tests taken and results provided within approximately 15 minutes, would then allow those who have tested negative to be allowed into the home and room of their loved ones, enable them to comfort and show affection to those who need it so much, which will only have a positive impact on the lives and quality of mental health of all involved, with no risk of Covid being spread. 

Our elderly are the most vulnerable in society, and we are leaving them to slowly die of loneliness and a feeling of abandonment unnecessarily, while tests that give an almost instant result are currently being offered to everyone in Liverpool. Obviously we appreciate the situation in Liverpool has been decided by their local government, but the availability of these almost instant tests shows they exist and should be put to better use, helping the most vulnerable of our society have proper physical access to their loved ones again, without risk of Covid-19 to themselves, other residents or care home staff.

Please find the humanity to understand that although Covid-19 is a huge threat, dying of loneliness or of feeling abandoned is a fate much worse for some of our elderly. With the risk of Covid-19 transmission eliminated entirely with a test before each separate visit to the care home, we see no reason why we cannot go back to seeing and spending time with our loved ones, without face coverings or distance between us, before we lose them completely.