Visits to loved ones and care homes in England will be possible by Christmas, according to ministers, Families and campaigners have been increasingly critical of the negative impact that the ban on visits has had on care home residents, especially those with dementia.

A pilot scheme involving 20 homes in Hampshire, Devon and Cornwall, which will provide regular testing, got underway today.

Our social affairs correspondent, Allison Holt, has more details.

This was mid March before locked down the last time.

67 year old Bob such and his wife, Chris, were ableto hug.

He has Alzheimer's and had just moved into a care home.

So you so much.

Thank you, no.

Yeah, Since then, most of their contacts being like this deeply distressing for them both.

The testing pilot offers hope for the future, but it still feels a long way off.

It's been absolutely cruel to see in scratching at the window in calling Come in, come in.

It doesn't understand is in the latter stages of dementia.

Andi is well being, and quality of life has been severely impacted, as has mine their sons, a doctor working on a busy hospital co vid ward.

He deals with the risks each day and says it should be possible for families to have closer contact in care homes.

It's a catastrophe for everyone in a symbol of snow, including me, because we don't get this time back.

You know, my my father and lots of other people will deteriorate during this period.

Onda.

We appreciate the difficulties everybody's facing.

It's It's not easy for us all to manage, but it must be managed on.

We must find solutions.

Testing is seen as the key to safe visit.

I was tested at a home by care staff last week who had a machine to provide a quick result.

The pilot scheme will use slightly different tests but will allow regular checks for named relatives or friends, it's promised.

This will then roll out nationally.

Our goal is to ensure that we have the testing available in every care home by Christmas to make sure that people can then and take a test.

Andi therefore see their loved ones safely to comply with cqc regulations.

But with coronavirus cases rising in hospitals, homes like this one in Scarborough are making preparations for accepting covert positive patients.

Thio ease pressures after so many care home deaths from the virus nationally, infection control checks are now tougher.

We have a covert, positive, isolated floor, dedicated staff, dedicated facilities so they don't come into contact with anyone else.

But as they say.

But these people have to be looked after somewhere.

And if we don't look after them, they have to go miles away from where they perhaps live for their recuperation.

It underlines the complications of the situation, balancing the many pressures with the needs of residents and relatives.

But so cruel joke enamel.

It is cruel.

But for families like the such is visited, testing by Christmas is a target that must not be missed.

Allison Holt, BBC News.