A CAMPAIGN to change Covid isolation rules on mental health wards has received the backing of 2500 signatures in less than just 24 hours. 

Floods of people have put their name towards the cause, which looks to see the 10-day isolation period axed for patients who show negative test results. 

The petition was launched by two sisters, Lauren and Louisa Boulazreg, after their brother, Callum, was admitted to the Royal Gartnavel almost one year ago.

Callum - who lives in Partick - was taken to hospital after struggling to cope with the tragic death of his mother. 

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READ MORE: Glasgow family in fight for Scottish Government to axe 10-day Covid isolation rule on mental health wards

The 29-year-old survived a car crash that sadly killed the siblings' mum. 

Since his admission, he has been required to isolate at least seven times - despite being triple vaccinated and showing negative PCR results. 

Currently, he is able to make contact with his sisters through a window in his bedroom after another patient on his ward tested positive for the virus.

The family says each time he is required to isolate, it stunts his chances of recovery and living a full, happy and healthy life. 

Lauren said: “The signatures show people really do care and people have reached out who are struggling. Clearly, it is a huge topic and I’m just hoping that it makes some sort of difference.

“I know that this is a big issue and that it is important to be safe but people on mental health wards are being forgotten about and their needs are being dismissed.

“I hope that we can take this petition to the First Minister because she is the one who can make a difference. I hope that she can take compassion when we hand our petition over to parliament.

“Before then, we obviously hope that the issue can be considered in Parliament and that we can get the ball rolling for change.”

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We told yesterday how the family claimed that Callum was being left in a “bare” room with little stimulation, which left their brother to turn inwards. 

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde did, however, say that it offers all of its patients access to iPads in order to allow vital contact with friends and family,

After feeling “helpless”, the sisters launched an online petition that calls for a reevaluation of the current rules in place. 

Lauren, who lives in Dennistoun, said: “Anybody who is healthy-minded finds the thought of isolating daunting. For somebody who is already struggling, it can be catastrophic on their healing and recovery journey.

“I think my brother is incredibly brave and that he will really be helping so many other patients who are in a similar situation.

“There will be lots of patients out there who don’t have anybody to advocate for them. The ones who are going to be forgotten about are the ones who don’t have the words to say they are struggling.

“Callum’s case is not isolated, this will be going on across the whole of Scotland and the UK. Although our emotional investment lies with our brother, our heart goes out to those who are in the same situation.

“It can be tiring feeling like you are screaming into a void, so we sympathise with any other family who is going through the same thing we are.”

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The petition will need to receive 10,000 signatures before it can be put to Scottish Parliament. 

Determined to make a difference, the sisters say that they will continue to campaign after Callum’s isolation period has ended. 

“We’re not just campaigning for this part of Callum’s isolation”, Lauren said. 

“For all we know, another person on the ward could test positive for Covid when Callum is out of isolation and it would mean he’d have to spend another 10 days on his own again.

“So many people have reached out and said they have been in a similar situation, I want to ask the NHS and Scottish Government if they feel as though they are really trying their very best for mental health patients in Scotland? 

“I hope we can work together to reform practice, which obviously is not working.” 

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said that its ward teams utilise activity packs to help keep patients stimulated with staff ensuring activities are tailored to individual needs. 

While the health board added that it is unable to share any information which could breach patient confidentiality, it said that it was in dialogue with the family over Callum's care. 

A spokesperson said: “Unfortunately there remains an active Covid outbreak on the ward and as such, for the safety of the whole ward, we have to implement strict guidelines to minimise the risk of spreading the virus.  

"We can confirm that we are in touch with the family directly to discuss the patient’s case and ongoing treatment plan and as with all patient care we are trying to be as flexible as possible in light of the circumstances.

"We can also confirm the ward is due to reopen this week which will mean that patients will be able to receive at least one visitor.”

The Scottish Government said that it prioritises patient safety and is constantly reviewing self-isolation guidance. 

A spokesperson said: “Ensuring people are able to access safe and effective care whilst in hospital is our top priority.

“Rigorous Covid-19 Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) protocols remain of paramount importance to keep people in hospital as safe as possible. Self-isolation guidance is being kept under constant review.

“While we cannot comment on individual cases, where there is an outbreak in hospital, we expect essential visits to continue. This includes the care of a patient with a mental health issue, where the absence of a visitor would cause distress.”

The online petition can be viewed by visiting www.change.org/p/nicola-sturgeon-change-the-covid-guidance-in-psychiatric-wards