Petition · past parliament · Department of Health and Social Care
Give elderly and vulnerable adults legal rights to have hospital visitors
Closed
508 signatures
What the petition asks
Though national Covid restrictions have been lifted, many hospitals are still denying patients visitors. Elderly and vulnerable adults in hospital often depend on friends and family to advocate for their care, support them, and help with eating/drinking. Give them legal rights to hospital visitors.
Many elderly, vulnerable patients have been stuck in hospitals without visitors, some confused about where they are, becoming demoralised and deteriorating. Visitor bans don't ensure that patients do not catch Covid. Elderly and vulnerable patients can be too unwell to manage or make decisions on their own, and need family or friends’ presence and support. Giving these patients legal rights to visitors (with PPE/testing as needed), could help their care and recovery, saving NHS resources.
Timeline
| 6 May 2022 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 20 Nov 2022 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
508
Status
Closed
Department
Department of Health and Social Care
Opened
6 May 2022
Closed
20 Nov 2022
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.