I appreciate how difficult it must be for families who have loved ones in care homes during the ongoing coronavirus crisis, especially as older people are more vulnerable to the virus. 

This concern is only heightened by the fact that contact with care home residents has been severely curtailed since the lockdown started in March, and even more so in areas like ours where local lockdowns have been put in place.  

At a time when loneliness in older people is on the rise, visits to older relatives are an invaluable part of their lives, and the positive impact that it has on people with Dementia is even greater. 

I have written to Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and raised this issue with him. I have posted a copy of this letter below for you to see.