youcare. wecare. akaricare.
Monday, 10 May 2021
Covid-19 – Updated visiting arrangements for care homes
10 May 2021
The wellbeing and safety of our residents and staff remains our most important priority. We have continued to monitor changes in guidance from Government and Local Authorities including the recent revisions to guidance concerning external visits for residents from care homes.
Following careful consideration of the guidance published, we are pleased to confirm that we will be supporting residents in leaving their care home to spend time outdoors, without subsequent isolation for 14 days.
Lateral flow tests and risk assessments will need to be completed by both the resident and designated visitor prior to the external visits. These tests should be completed at the care homes prior to the external visit. In all cases a negative test must be recorded by both the resident and the designated visitor. Visits must be rescheduled in the event of a positive or inconclusive test result. External visits should not occur if the resident, designated visitor or essential care provider is currently self-isolating, has tested positive or experienced symptoms of Covid-19 in the past 14 days or where they have had contact with someone else meeting these criteria.
In leaving the care home, Residents may be accompanied by:
Additionally, the following guidance must be observed at all times during the course of the external visit:
Care homes will discuss arrangements with residents’ designated visitors, or essential care givers in advance of each visit outside of the care home. External visits should be booked in advance using our online booking portal where possible to ensure that sufficient staff are available to carry out risk assessments and lateral flow tests. If necessary, external visits may alternatively be secured by telephone with the Home Manager.
Out of an abundance of caution, after returning to the care home, residents should undertake lateral flow tests on days 2, 4 and 6 after the day of return.
Visits out of the care home which do not meet the criteria above will need to follow the previous guidance on visits out of care homes including guidance on the need for residents to self-isolate for 14 days on return to the care home.
The Home Manager may postpone or pause external visits at any time without notice, for the safety of all, or as instructed by Government or Public Health. Situations where this might be required include where a positive COVID test is reported within a home or where there are a high number of cases, or rapidly rising levels of infection within the community. This may result in visits being cancelled at short notice, but we will do our best to give as much notice as possible.
We would once again like to thank you for your continued patience, support and consideration.
If you have any questions, please speak to the Home Manager in the first instance or email [email protected]
Karen Harkin
Chief Operating Officer