Valuing Voices: Protecting rights through the pandemic and beyond

A survey published reveals how human rights have been breached and access to independent advocacy and health and social care cut during the coronavirus pandemic.

Nearly 450 advocates across England and Wales took part in the survey which was undertaken by independent advocacy organisations (including VoiceAbility), with support from the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi).

‘Valuing Voices: Protecting rights through the pandemic and beyond‘ shows 76% of independent advocates participating in the survey said the human rights of people they support were not fully upheld during the initial three month lockdown that began in March.  Almost half (47%) had seen blanket restrictions used to confine care home residents to their rooms or prevent them going outside. Nearly one-third (31%) had seen ‘do not attempt cardio-pulmonary resuscitation notices’ applied to whole groups of care home residents or other people without appropriate consultation with the individuals or their families. A lack of understanding of people’s rights under the Mental Capacity Act was also a common thread through many responses.

The report calls for a reinvigorated focus on human rights and makes a series of recommendations for Government and others.

To read the report, please click here.