Martina Derry is campaigning for Ursula's Law to establish a legal right for individuals to have a designated care partner in health and social care settings across Northern Ireland.

Derry launched the campaign in memory of her mother Ursula, who died from Covid-19 at Craigavon Hospital in January 2021. She could not visit her mother in a nursing home at the start of the pandemic.

The proposed law would apply to hospitals, care homes, hospices, maternity services, and other care settings. It aims to allow care partners for events such as births, cancer appointments, dementia support, and end-of-life care.

Derry started a human rights legal challenge against visiting restrictions in July 2020. She calls for primary legislation to prevent future separations, noting that guidance alone leads to inconsistencies.

She plans to meet the First and Deputy First Ministers this month. Derry has provided a briefing paper on how the law would operate.

Her requests include a commitment to introduce Ursula's Law as standalone primary legislation. She also seeks interim measures for trusts and providers to follow existing care partner guidance, with reporting for non-compliance.

Derry wants Ursula's Law included in the Executive's response to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry's Module 3 Recommendation 2. She urges cross-departmental support and allocation of legislative time for the bill.