CARE homes and hospitals must be fully open to visitors to end the isolation of patients and residents, according to a Bradford district MP.

Shipley MP Philip Davies said visiting loved ones was a “crucial and fundamental right” and that contact also improved health outcomes in many cases.

He said despite Covid restrictions being lifted, many were still facing problems visiting their families.

Mr Davies said: “I have spoken to constituents who are rightly frustrated by the red tape they are facing when trying to see loved ones.

“Some care homes and hospitals are fully re-opened for visiting while others are allowing no visitors.

“All hospitals and care homes should now be allowing relatives to visit their loved ones.”

Charities and patient groups have criticised hospitals and care homes which are restricting visitors and said the “blanket ban” posed more risk to the patients than the virus.

Mr Davies added: “People are being isolated and kept away from loved ones as if they were in prison.

“In some cases, the lack of contact will mean there is no one to advocate for that patient or resident.

“I am extremely concerned how some hospitals and care homes are overinterpreting the testing rules to allow the isolation of patients and residents to continue.”