Nina Parry is calling on the government to issue guidance that would allow patients to receive care from their regular carers while in hospital.
Great Western Hospital already does this, but Nina’s Law would make it mandatory for all hospitals to let care workers continue their care visits for disabled patients during hospital stays, ensuring consistency and continuity in care.
The 51-year-old mum-of-two lives with primary progressive multiple sclerosis and wants her campaign to be discussed in Parliament.
Her latest petition currently has 790 signatures on the UK Government and Parliament petitions website, and she recently hosted an episode of her podcast which featured an interview with GWH staff.
This follows a Change.org petition on the same issue which has gathered more than 47,000 signatures.
She said: “During a long hospital stay, my care was severely compromised, which is what led to my care being awarded.
“This highlighted a monumental problem to me as current practices leave many patients like me unable to continue receiving our regular care visits whilst on hospital premises.
“These vital services, often funded by the NHS and taxpayers, must be allowed to continue.”
Nina receives care from two carers four times a day, support she says enhances her quality of life “significantly”.
She believes allowing home care workers to support patients in hospital would benefit care agencies, the NHS and – most importantly – the patients themselves.
Nina added: “If carers were allowed to continue their services in hospital premises, thousands of pounds could be saved and redirected towards other vital patient services.
“This shift in policy would alleviate pressure from nursing staff and ensure that patients receive needed care without interruption.”
She argues the current approach interrupts essential care routines during hospital stays, affecting patient dignity and limiting their independence.
The petition calls for the NHS and government to require care company contracts to specify that continuous healthcare support must extend to hospital admissions.
Nina said: “This is not just a matter of health management; it’s a matter of preserving personal dignity and upholding fundamental rights of disabled people like me.”
She is encouraging others to support the petition.
If the petition reaches 10,000 signatures, the government is required to respond.
At 100,000 signatures, it could be considered for debate in Parliament.
It can be signed at petition.parliament.uk/petitions/762645.
The original campaign page, which has nearly 50,000 signatures is on https://www.change.org/p/nina-s-law-enable-carers-to-continue-care-visits-for-disabled-patients-in-hospitals