'Mammy died alone. We weren't allowed in': Campaigners demand improved visiting rules in hospitals

“You don’t believe the stories until you experience it yourself,” said Eimear Fitzgerald.

Eimear Fitzgerald, from the advocacy group Care Champions. Picture: Moya Nolan

Eimear Fitzgerald became an advocate for hospital and nursing home visiting after her mother died alone during a Covid outbreak last year, but she never expected to be still doing this in late 2022.

Now volunteering with Care Champions, who assist families when a relative is in a hospital or nursing home, she said people from all 26 counties still call to say they cannot visit loved ones.