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I've never been one for asking loaded questions, I prefer straightforward honesty in every aspect of my life, but when I asked Deputy Heidi Soulsby if any allowances would be made for relatives of elderly residents in the island's care homes to visit them if they happen to die during the lockdown, I will admit it was a loaded question.
When I went to the live streamed press briefing last Thursday, I knew that two people close to me had recently been told their elderly relatives might not live much longer. I had also been approached by someone I know earlier in the week, who wanted me to help her friend after she was told she could no longer visit her mum who has been an in patient at Les Bourgs Hospice.
The lockdown was extended last week and relatives of patients at Les Bourgs were told that all end of life visits had to end.
By the time that decision was confirmed to Express, Les Bourgs Hospice was allowed to continue end of life visits, but they would be individually assessed, and end of life visits at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital on wards where covid-19 isn't present will be considered on a case by case basis,
No visits are allowed at all at the island's care homes. This will be kept under constant review but it is a no to anyone who wants to visit a relative who may be likely to pass away in the near future, with or without corona virus.
Pictured: End of life visits are being individually assessed at Les Bourgs Hospice and wlll be allowed in some cases at the PEH, but not at the island's care homes.
This decision to not allow visits to any residents at any of the island's multiple residential care homes hasn't been sitting easy with me, since it was first announced they had locked down, before the rest of the Bailiwick early in March.
My own grandmother died in a care home last summer. Comparing her death to my other Granny, who had died nearly three years previous, at home, surrounded by her family and wrapped up in love, it didn’t seem fair.
At nearly 93 and with her health quickly fading, we knew she wouldn’t last long, but passing away in the middle of the night while we all slept at home wasn’t what I would have wanted. But in a way, we were very lucky - we had been able to see her anytime we wanted, and my daughter and I saw her just a few hours before she passed. We got to say goodbye even though we actually said "see you tomorrow".
So I asked Deputy Soulsby under what circumstances would the decision to ban visits to residents in care homes, who are unlikely to survive the lockdown, be reviewed.
If you’ve ever criticised a politician for a decision they’ve made, accused them of not caring or not understanding the impact of their decisions then you should take a good look at Deputy Soulsby’s face and listen to her answer last week.
Above: Deputy Heidi Soulsby speaking about care home residents, at 30minutes in.
“I really do feel for families," Deputy Soulsby said. "It’s not something I ever want to have to say, none of us do. It’s so difficult, it’s not what people expect either."
The President of Health and Social Care later added:
"Peoples' concerns that somebody might be dying alone in that situation, they won’t be. This is where the nurses and the carers come into their own, and will give that support at the end of life.
"So if people are really concerned that someone will be in a bed by themselves, alone, that won’t happen and I hope that’s some little assurance I can give to people at this time.”
I’ve interviewed Deputy Soulsby many times since she was elected in 2012. As HSC President she has had to face the constant scrutiny of midwifery services which had been rightly criticised for some serious failings before she was involved. She’s also had to speak about perceived failings in mental health care after a young woman died while in the care of HSC and two staff ended up in court.
There’ll be countless other issues which we never hear about, relating to life and death issues for many Bailiwick families that she has had to deal with.
But on this occasion, her empathy showed as her voice cracked. She knows people will be left grieving without being able to say goodbye for as long as this virus is present in the Bailiwick. Yet she also made one thing plainly clear to me.
Pictured: At least two of Guernsey's care homes are now affected by corona virus. Yet the staff continue to go in to work each day, caring for their residents.
We've always known that health and care staff look after our relatives needs. But what they also do, is show our relatives love when we're unable to be there.
With the care homes the true frontline in the battle against covid-19 in the Bailiwick so far, we can all rest assured that no one is dying alone.
Anyone who does die in one of our care homes will pass away surrounded by love and respect, and that is something to remember as the numbers continue to climb.
