Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

The government guidance is that welcoming anyone into care homes from the community inevitably brings risk of COVID-19 transmission. However, these risks can be managed and mitigated, and they should be balanced against the importance of visiting and the benefits it brings to care home residents and their families.

In the face of new variants of the virus, we need to remain alert to ensure we protect those most at risk in care homes while ensuring indoor visits can go ahead.

We are able to facilitate internal visits within our homes where deemed appropriate for the resident and under specified criteria. 

Where possible we are offering Indoor visits, which will include the visitors having a Lateral Flow Device test (LFD’s)

Following current guidance which came into effect from 19th July 2021 we are delighted to be welcoming more visitors into our homes for internal visits and have policies in place for this that acknowledge the latest government guidance. Please discuss our policy details with your home manager.

Our main points include:

• There is no limit to the number of nominated visitors each resident can have.

• We will supply PPE to be worn by visitors inside the care home. 

• Visitors will undergo LFD testing when they visit the home or prior to their visit. 

• Residents can go on trips away from the home without any isolation period on their return subject to some conditions.

• Some types of visit must be booked in advance.

• There are no set rules on how often nominated visitors can visit, or how long they can stay for. Please discuss with your home manager.

• All visits and trips away from the home must be booked in advance.

It has proven to be extremely beneficial for both residents and families to maintain visits and therefore in addition to an indoor visits we also offer where possible:

• Window visits where there is safe ground floor window access that can be opened using restrictors for both residents and their visitors, and the relevant social distancing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) measures can be observed.

• Garden or Outdoor Area visits that conform to social distancing guidance with relevant PPE, infection control/hygiene measures, and safe access to the designated outdoor areas.

• Pod Visits that conform to social distancing guidance with relevant PPE, infection control/hygiene measures, and safe access to the designated visiting pods. 

Please note that visits are only possible in homes that are deemed Outbreak Free – namely it has been 14 days since the onset of symptoms of the last case in the home. 

Full details of how your visit will be managed can be provided by the home manager.

The restrictions to our homes have applied to all non-essential visitors as well as relatives and friends. This has included members of our internal governance, facilities management and regional teams. While we felt this was an important step to take in terms of reducing the risk of infection, we are very aware that these visits are an important part of ensuring the health and safety of residents and monitoring the quality of our care.

Please rest assured that all visitors will be briefed on the strictest infection control procedures and will be subject to many of the same control measures and testing outlined for friends and family.

Castlemeadow Care would like to say thank you to all our colleagues who have worked tirelessly in the last few months to provide exceptional levels of care under the most challenging circumstances. We are more than grateful for the continued commitment and dedication of our teams.