– I would say that it was a breach of the Infection Control Act, but also a breach of several of the human rights of people with developmental disabilities. This is according to postdoctoral fellow at the University of Agder, Ellen Margrete Iveland Ersfjord. Researchers at the Institute for Health and Nursing Science and the Center for Obesity Research at St. Olav’s Hospital have carried out a study on measures taken in response to the pandemic in which five buffalo communities in central Norway were investigated. – Those groups that were vulnerable were hit extra hard. Both due to the pandemic itself, but also due to the measures that were implemented. And people with developmental disabilities were particularly vulnerable. The researchers have interviewed managers and employees at the five buffalo communities. In four of the five dwellings, the residents were isolated. Either they were isolated in their apartments or the front door was locked. This was done to avoid the residents becoming infected with corona, but this was not in line with the infection control rules. – Residence number five was the only one that followed the infection prevention rules, adds Ersfjord. It is unknown what kind of care homes are involved due to the duty of confidentiality in the investigation. Information was not forthcoming When the country shut down in March 2020, life in care homes was turned upside down. But in April of the same year, the Norwegian Directorate of Health issued a press release stating that municipalities could not introduce visitor bans or demarcations in private homes that people with developmental disabilities rent in communal housing. But still, this is exactly what happened. – This information may have disappeared, even if it was published in Dagsavisen, for example, says Iveland Ersfjord. Postdoctoral fellow Ellen Margrete Iveland Ersfjord (right) and associate professor Hege Mari Johnsen have found that the residents were locked in until the employees were vaccinated. Photo: University of Agder But the findings in the study are not unique to the five housing estates. – This was done to a large extent in Norway. Iveland Ersfjord refers to reports from the Directorate of Health and Bufdir. – About 70 per cent who live in the staff have answered that they could receive visitors to a small extent. More than half stated that they could contact people outside the home who were close to them to a small extent. – I take it very seriously that the services were challenged in terms of quality and safety for this user group. This is according to State Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Care, Ellen Moen Rønning-Arnesen. Not allowed to use coercion County doctor in Trøndelag, Jan Vaage, says it is not allowed to use coercion without a decision from the State Administrator. County doctor in Trøndelag, Jan Vaage. Photo: Rune A. Hansen / news – There are clear boundaries in the possibility of exercising coercion over persons with developmental disabilities. Vaage says that infection control measures must be proportionate to the risk and that the use of coercion must have a legal basis. – The lack of pandemic preparedness in buffalo communities is a learning point after covid-19 that both the municipality and the state must follow up. But the researchers’ conclusion is clear: the residents were exposed to human rights violations. Violations of human rights In the study, the researchers found several violations of human rights. At one of the buffalo shelters, the employees told that they finally gave in, even though they knew that the closure was a violation of human rights. – It didn’t feel right to shut them out like we did, says one of the researchers. The common areas were closed and the residents were not allowed to receive visitors. – They (residents and relatives) stood in the window and waved to each other. But then let’s wait for that too, says the person further. Iveland Ersfjord refers to purpose article 1 in the human rights for persons with developmental disabilities. – The right to an independent life and to be part of society. And there was something very many lost. And they still see the after-effects. – Some employees said in April 2022 that they were still struggling with after-effects in their residents. – They want the best for their residents, but they also said that for many residents this has been a strong psychological strain. Vulnerable group Rønning-Arnesen in the Ministry of Health and Care Services points out that people with developmental disabilities are a particularly vulnerable group. – For many, it was a very strong mental strain with intervention measures involving closure, delimiting measures and isolation. She believes that it is now important to put in place more studies on conditions in the health and care service during the pandemic. – The findings in this study are very serious and show that both users and employees were in very demanding situations during this period. – At the same time, the study shows that professionals in many places made assessments according to local conditions, to the best of their ability. Rønning-Arnesen says that the ministry presented a notification on health preparedness last week. Here they point to how to work better with vulnerable groups when crises arise.
ttn-69
Residents locked up at four out of five care homes during the pandemic – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
