CARE home bosses in Wrexham and Flintshire are calling for more protection against coronavirus-related insurance claims – and warn it will be difficult to allow Christmas visits without it.

Care Forum Wales, which represents nearly 500 independent social care providers, says it’s vital they are given indemnity from being sued over outbreaks just like the NHS.

Unless they get the same safeguard, they fear care homes may be understandably reluctant to allow families to visit during the run up to Christmas because of the risk of transmitting the virus.

Insurance companies introduced new covid clauses after the pandemic struck earlier this year.

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The exclusion means care homes and domiciliary care companies are no longer covered in policies renewed after April for any claims arising as a result of coronavirus.

It’s estimated that that two thirds of care homes have renewed their policies since then and are not now covered for any covid claims.

Care homes are legally obliged to have insurance cover against potential claims arising from death or serious injury on their premises and should not operate if they don’t have it.

According to Care Forum Wales, a number of care homes may feel they have to close temporarily and mothball their services until the coronavirus is no longer a threat, rather than risk being taken to court by bereaved relatives.

Chair Mario Kreft says the problem could be easily solved by giving indemnity to social care providers for covid-related damages.

He said: “Our care homes and domiciliary care organisations are on the front line just like the NHS.

“The NHS was given indemnity when the pandemic struck so it is only right and proper that social care is given the same protection as a matter of urgency.

“As more and more insurance policies come up for renewal, there is a growing sense of alarm that operators are risking being ruined because they are not covered against any covid claims.

“We are required by law to have public liability insurance and the new covid clauses mean care homes and domiciliary care companies are not covered for any claims relating to coronavirus.

“Amongst other things, it may mean that they are operating illegally without that cover, which could also make them liable to massive and ruinous damages claims if the courts rule against them.

“Some may well opt to shut down and mothball their services rather than risk being crippled and put out of business by catastrophically high legal costs.

“It’s almost certainly something that has to be settled in Whitehall, jointly with Wales and Scotland and Northern Ireland, through providing indemnity just like they gave to the NHS.”

Glyn Williams, who runs the Gwyddfor Care Home in Bodedern, on Anglesey, with his wife, Mary, is becoming increasingly worried.

He said: “Premiums this year have gone up by between 50 and 70% which really is incredible - so we're paying a lot more for a lot less.

“The problems is that the NHS can be assured if an incorrect decision is made due to human factors then they're backed by an indemnity.

“Independent providers are understandably very reluctant to do anything that would put their businesses at risk, including visiting because if a visitor were to bring in

covid-19 and the home was to have an outbreak then the home is liable for any losses.

“The issue is also being brought into sharp focus because Christmas is fast-approaching.

"Families will naturally want to visit their loved ones in care homes but this is making things a lot more difficult.

“Providers won't want to open their doors to visitors at Christmas if they haven't got insurance and adequate testing. That's another big concern.”