The Scottish government has removed limits on the length of visits and number of visitors in its newly updated Open with Care guidelines.

The guidelines also instruct that families should only be required to use booking systems when a home is managing an outbreak, with residents then able to see one of three named visitors.

To support visiting rights, the Care Inspectorate will receive an additional £186,000 this year and £90,000 in 2023.

“The restrictions on visiting introduced early on in the pandemic were necessary to protect staff and residents and curb the spread of the virus, but I am under no illusions as to just how difficult and painful it has been for the staff, residents and their loved ones,” said minister for social care Kevin Stewart

“We are pleased to be in the position to move to a ‘new normal’, with the latest Open With Care guidance setting out much less restrictive measures in care homes.

“As we move towards seeing visiting rights embedded in legislation through Anne’s Law, our recent strengthening of rights within the Health and Social Care standards means the right to visit loved ones is already in place. I am also happy to confirm a total of £276,000 additional funding to the Care Inspectorate over the next two years to further its work supporting care homes to get back to a more normal footing and protect visiting rights.

“I am very pleased to be here to thank the staff and hear from them, the residents and their loved ones about how they have managed over the last two years and the difference that it is making now we have been able to open up care homes more.”

 Edith Macintosh, interim chief executive of the Care Inspectorate, said: “For residents who live in a care home, having contact with loved ones in what is fundamentally their own home is essential for good mental health and wellbeing. 

“The release of today’s revised guidance highlights the importance of people experiencing care having face-to-face contact with their loved ones and provides the framework to support them to do so. 

“We welcome the additional funding for the Care Inspectorate to support the implementation of this guidance and to support visiting.

“I want to also thank care services and their dedicated staff for their commitment and professionalism in supporting people through the most challenging of circumstances.”