Inconsistent advice needs to be clarified for visitation to sick and elderly

The McGowan Government must illustrate a more compassionate approach to hospital visitation to allow for appropriate support for WA patients.
Shadow Minister for Health Libby Mettam said there were clear inconsistencies around the advice provided by hospitals and the Chief Health Officer when it comes to the new code red restrictions.
The Opposition has been inundated by calls from patients and patients’ families regarding the inconsistencies, confusion and distress caused by the new visitor restrictions.
“Patients with dementia, where English is their second language, patients whose young children can’t visit and patients who are experiencing extreme distress at this time are being left without proper support,” Ms Mettam said.
“There is a clear gap between the various directions provided regarding a support person and what patients, and their support persons, are actually experiencing when they arrive at the hospital.
“We also need to see a more compassionate approach when it comes to the exemptions for what constitutes an essential visitor.
“Clearly, there has been a communication breakdown which is leaving patients unnecessarily distressed.
“We are hearing from many support persons who have been vaccinated, are prepared to take RATs before entry and follow all of the COVID safe directions so they can support their loved ones in hospital but are being cruelly denied.
“There has been a lack of proportionality when it comes to balancing the COVID risk with compassion and other health concerns and there is a clear need for a more common sense approach which takes into account the mental and emotional toll of these new restrictions.”