Need for a health protocol for visits by family members to very frail or dying patients in healthcare facilities in the EU

Question for written answer  E-000786/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Luisa Regimenti (ID), Silvia Sardone (ID)

Almost one year on from the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, most healthcare facilities in the EU are still refusing to allow seriously ill or dying patients visits from their close family members.

People who are dying are forced to endure a lengthy period in seclusion, with their families also suffering unbearable trauma.

All this constitutes an unpardonable breach of human rights. Family ties protected by Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Article 7 of the Nice Charter are being severed with no justification for this, even though ways and means to organise these visits do exist. In fact some healthcare facilities have already established protocols for visits to very frail or dying patients, with almost no cases of infection reported as a result of this contact.

To date many family members have only learnt of the death of their relative through a telephone call, without having been allowed to say a final farewell, owing to the healthcare facility concerned not having any means of protection in place, such as windows or doors, or plastic screens with special arms through which visitors can see and touch the other person in complete safety.

In light of this:

• 1.How, specifically, will the Commission promote visits by close family members for extremely frail or dying patients in the EU’s healthcare facilities?
• 2.Will it provide national health authorities with the requisite support for this in terms of funding and equipment?