We recognise that lockdown has been difficult for many residents and families over the past few months and that visits are important for resident’s and their families. The following guidance has been implemented in line with the Department of Health and Social Care to ensure Safe visitation to the care home.

The first priority must remain preventing infections in the home and this means that visiting policy remains restricted with alternatives sought wherever possible.

In the event of an outbreak of community hotspot area, we will implement a lockdown again until it is safe to allow visitation in order to protect our vulnerable residents, staff and visitors; with no exceptions. There will be weekly testing in place for staff and 28 day testing for residents to ensure we are monitoring the situation closely.

We will be limiting the numbers of visitors to a single constant visitor per resident. This means the same family member visiting each time to limit the number of different individuals coming into contact. This is in order to limit the overall number of visitors to the care home and/or to the individual, and the consequent risk of infection. We will allow communal garden visits, window visits and drive through visits.

All visits must be pre-booked in advance and all ad hoc visitors will be refused entry. Social distance measures will be in place and we will ensuring a 2m rule and visits to a maximum of 15 minutes as in line with current recommendations.

All visitors must report to reception where they will undergo a screening questionnaire and temperature check. Face coverings must be worn for all visits otherwise entry to visit will be refused. All visitors must hand sanitise for 20 seconds pre and post visit and we will asking for contact details for the test and trace system. Children are still not permitted entry at this moment in time.

We remind all visitors to avoid skin-to-skin contact (handshake, hug) and follow the latest social-distancing advice for as much of the visit as possible

Any items you wish to bring with them on your visit, such as a gift will need to be something that can be easily cleaned by the care home to prevent cross contamination.

We will provide reassurance to your visit as we recognise that for some residents, they find it difficult to understand you with face coverings on or may find this difficult to communicate. We will support each family member with their visit.

We will still advocate to support other means of visitation such as video calling and letters, emails, postcards, cards and phone calls.

We appreciate your ongoing support.