Gloria’s Law: What’s been achieved so far

We’ve achieved a huge amount so that people in care can have the support of their loved ones.

Thanks to our amazing supporters, and their tireless lobbying of Ministers, MPs, peers, care home providers, government officials, and the media, we’ve already secured major change and cross party support for a legal right to a care supporter.

As Care Rights UK we continue to campaign for Gloria’s Law, to shift the power balance and to make sure that people will never again be cut off from their trusted friends and relatives when they need them most. 

Our successes

March 2021

The Government accepted our demand that all residents should have an essential care giver that could visit during outbreaks and periods of lockdown. This was written into guidance at the time.

November 2021

The chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights called on the Government to ‘put into law protections for care home residents deprived of family visits.’ In response to evidence from campaigners, the committee called for immediate action to reconnect care home residents with family and friends.

March 2022

The Joint Committee on Human Rights wrote to the Prime Minister, urging him to place care home visiting guidance on a statutory footing.

April 2022

The Government finally removed all visiting restrictions to care homes. Responding to the demands of campaigners, the Government limited restrictions to outbreak management only.

July 2022

The Joint Committee on Human Rights called on the Government to introduce legislation. Following evidence given to the committee by campaigners, in their report, the committee urged the Government to introduce legislation that would give those in care a legal right to maintain contact with a loved one “in all circumstances”.

June 2023

The Care Supporters Bill was introduced to the Westminster Parliament and passed its first reading with unanimous support. Second reading was scheduled for 24 November but this was cancelled following the King’s Speech.

March 2024

Labour leader Keir Starmer backs Gloria’s Law. In a media interview he committed to working closely with campaigners to change any legislation. He thanked “the tireless campaigners who have continued to fight on this issue week-in week-out”.

April 2024

The Government introduces Regulation 9A, making visiting and accompanying a fundamental Care Quality Commission standard.

June 2024

In the run up to the General Election, we achieved commitments in the Labour, Liberal Democrat, Plaid Cymru and Green party manifestos, that people living in care homes would have the right to see their families.

March 2026

A Government review of the effectiveness of Regulation 9A finds that too many people are still facing barriers to visiting and are being excluded from decision making. The Government commits to exploring legal changes to promote the importance of family and carers as equal partners in care.

October 2026

Baroness Hallett, Chair of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, publishes her report on the care sector, recommending that people relying on care ‘should have the right to in-person visitors’.

October 2026

Lord Hunt, with cross party support, lays down amendments to the Health Bill in the House of Lords. The amendment is aimed at offering all users of health and care services the opportunity to nominate someone close to them as their health and care partner.

  • ‘People in care must never again be isolated from the people most important to them. Relatives and friends are more than just ‘visitors’. They are a lifeline. They need to be recognised as a vital part of the care team. This is why the new right to a Care Supporter is so urgently needed. It can help end the terrible harm caused by isolation, as well as increasing the voice of people in care, now and in the years to come.’

    Helen Wildbore, Director, Care Rights UK

  • 'Our first priority is always the wellbeing of our residents and we firmly believe that contact with relatives and friends is essential to the health and wellbeing of those we care for. Rights for Residents have done a fantastic job championing the right to visit throughout what has been an extremely challenging time for the social care sector. We are delighted to offer our support to their campaign for a right to maintain contact.'

    Rebecca Pearson, Operations Director, BUPA

  • 'It is important when the government is considering new legislation for health and social care, to give caregivers a statutory right to support people receiving care, that this right applies to people in all settings, including the NHS.'

    Martin Green, Chief Executive, Care England

  • 'We have discussed the proposed organisational support for the ‘right to maintain’ contact and as it fits in line with our ethos and values and given the work we have supported with your good selves, Maria Mallaband Care Group would very much like to offer you our official support in achieving this for residents and their families.'

    Clinton Taylor, Clinical Director, Maria Mallaband

  • ‘We must learn the lessons and guarantee the right to a Care Supporter in hospitals and care homes. The Government has a moral duty to guarantee regular and safe visiting to ensure care home residents and hospital patients are not left behind.’

    Dan Carden, MP