Beyond COVID-19 - our Infection Prevention and Control Policies
Due to the nature of our work, we are doing everything we can to ensure that our residents, staff and visitors are safe. In order to achieve this, we have changed how we do things. These changes are reviewed regularly, and ensure we are compliant with expert advice and legislation.
What We Are Doing to Combat Covid...
Since the beginning of the pandemic, our staff have been undergoing regular Covid tests to ensure that they are healthy and Covid-free. Our staff are supported and encouraged to have recommended vaccinations to keep our community safe. They recieve appropriate training and education regarding minimising risk of infection and have access to the right equipment to support them in their role.
We are very proud to be able to state we have not suffered COVID related deaths. Whilst we have had COVID outbreaks these have been robustly and effectively managed.
Our Testing Program
The government advise that we are 'learning to live with COVID'. However, our residents are clinically extremely vulnerable and as such need us to safeguard them. Our staff do not attend work if they are unwell. We have robust sickness management procedures in place.
Any resident who develop symptoms are immediately given a lateral flow test to ensure that we catch any potential infection as early as possible; if positive, they are immediately nursed in accordance with the current IPC guidelines. On occasion this may result in being relocated to an alternative room for a period of isolation. We share information around outbreaks with relevant health agencies and local Infection Control Team to ensure we are doing everything we need to so we keep people safe.
During outbreaks of COVID both staff and residents may be subject to COVID tests
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Cold, Flu, Sickness and Diarrhoea
Friends, family and loved ones must not visit if they are experiencing any symptoms in line with a cold, flu or sickness and diarrhoea. This is so that we can maintain the health and safety of the people who live with us and our staff.
If you are feeling unwell, please do not take the risk of visiting your loved one.
New Admissions
We are open for new admissions. However, we do not offer tours of the home. We appreciate that this does make choosing us a difficult decision. However, we are happy to talk through any anxieties and give you as much help as possible before you make your decision. Hopefully, the information contained on our website; social media page (Facebook) and conversations with the home team will guide you. We are happy to show you the bedroom allocated and let you get the 'feel of the home'.
We do not usually quarantine new admissions unless they have been in contact with an infected individual or they have been admitted from another healthcare setting or hospital. This information is subject to change based upon national and local guidelines and as these can change quickly so please bear this in mind. We always let people know what is happening as soon as we can.
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As we cannot always be confident that new residents have not had contact in other healthcare settings we take a cautious approach. We aim for new residents to be able to join our community as soon as we can be assured they do not have COVID and this does vary for each person. We will always keep you informed of what we are doing.
Visiting & Gifts
Please be assured that we are doing everything we can to support visits from family members, but we also must ensure that any visiting is conducted in a totally safe manner in accordance to government guidelines to prevent Covid from entering our home.
Currently, we ask that visits are booked in advance. We encourage people to consider making a regular daily or weekly visit so we know when to expect you and we can return the person to their room in preparation for your visit.
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All visits take place in the resident's bedroom or a designated area. Staff will not remain in the room with you so your visit will be private. However, we are always around if you want to chat.
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If you are unable to keep your appointment please call the home and let us know as we will ensure the resident is not relocated to their bedroom or the designated area in preparation for your visit
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We will continue to support people to visit during COVID outbreaks - you will be advised if this is the situation and you will be guided on what extra (if any) actions you need to take to keep yourself, the residents and staff safe.
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Please be aware that our visiting policy may change at short notice in reaction to outbreaks of COVID19 or other seasonal infections. Our families are always kept informed by email of significant events or changes.
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If you would like to bring your loved one a gift, please feel free.