A HEARTBROKEN daughter “never got to say goodbye” to her dying father after being denied access to a care home over coronavirus fears.

Karen Jones, 47, attempted to visit her frail father, Aubrey Silby, 87, at Elm Tree care home, in Frinton, on Thursday.

Dementia-sufferer Mr Silby was placed in the assisted living residency on February 21, having been previously cared for by his devoted wife, Beryl.

After Mr Silby’s condition started to dramatically deteriorate, his family was informed that he would be on end-of-life care.

But due to extra measures put in place by the care home to protect its residents from Covid-19, Ms Jones was told she would not be able to visit her father.

“They wouldn’t let me in but my father was dying,” she said.

“I was so upset because I wanted to be with him and I was absolutely fine, I wasn’t ill at all and I couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t let me in.

“I said I would do anything for them to allow me inside, whether that was wear gloves or a mask or anything.

“They could have made an exception for me – I knew my dad didn’t have long left and I knew this was going to happen.”

Just a day later, a distraught Ms Jones was informed by her brother that her father had died.

She added: “I was so sad when I found out because I never got to say goodbye to him and I feel so guilty about that.

“There were so many things I wanted to say to him.”

“Those who are dying should still be allowed their relatives by their side in their final moments – it is disgusting and what has happened it absolutely wrong.

“I am heartbroken over this.

“Where and when does it stop and when will people be able to see their loved ones again?

“My father was a very lovely and loving man and we were very close – I will really miss him dearly.”

The care home said Mr Silby’s wife was told about the lockdown and had agreed with the policy.

A spokesman also said Ms Jones hadn't visited her father since he arrived.

“We made the decision to close the care home to relatives and non-urgent inspectors," they said.

“We have to put this in place because our residents are vulnerable and elderly.

"It is a difficult decision to have had to make but it is the right decision.

“We need to safeguard our residents as much as we possibly can.

“On Thursday, Mr Silby’s wife spent the day with him and she was informed of what was going to be happening.

"She said her goodbyes knowing he was terminally ill.

“His daughter hasn’t visited the care home since he arrived here.

"The family were fully aware he was receiving end of life care."

Despite the difficulties facing the care home, bosses have looked at ways the home can continue to run as smoothly as possible.

“We have iPads with Skype so people can still communicate with loved ones.

“We are also putting a creche in one of our free rooms so staff who work here can still work by bringing their children in if schools close.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said care homes across the country are closing their doors to visitors and said everyone over the age of 70 will soon be told to self-isolate “for a very long time” due to their vulnerability.

Ryan Moring manages The Haven care home in Colchester which cares for residents suffering with dementia.

He said: “On Thursday we made the decision to shut the home to all visitors unless absolutely necessary.

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly.

“Shutting the home to visitors can have an impact on emotional wellbeing.

“It can be quite daunting and quite scary because all of a sudden they aren’t getting visitors.

“This week we are looking at contingency plans such as using Skype to connect residents with relatives.”

Simon Prestney, chief executive of Age Concern Colchester, said the charity has 130 befrienders who support isolated people with a home visit every week.

“Indeed we have a further 100 people who are vulnerable and are looking for befrienders to connect with them,” he said.

“If this situation galvanises people into action then they can apply at ageconcerncolchester.org.uk. There is a fine balance between supporting people who are in poverty and isolation and ensuring their safety.”