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Update on Akari Care's response to COVID 19 (Coronavirus) infection 18 June 2020

Thursday, 18 June 2020

Update on Akari Care’s response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) infection

18 June 2020

As you will be aware, there have been recent changes to guidance on social distancing and having considered the revised guidance, we want to update you with Akari Care’s response to Covid-19. As always through this pandemic, the wellbeing and safety of our residents and staff has been our most important priority and remains so.

Although some aspects of the guidance have been changed, we do not consider it appropriate to amend the day to day operations of our care homes at the current time since the risks to our residents remains very real. Consequently, our care homes will continue to remain closed to non-essential visitors seeking access to the interior of our care homes.

However, we recognise how difficult it has been for residents and families over the past 12 weeks. Therefore, where possible we will start to enable scheduled visits to residents which will take place outside and in the grounds of our homes, whilst at all times maintaining social distancing of at least 2 metres. Each of our care homes will adopt a practice that is best suited to the exterior layout of the home and we are currently working to be able to facilitate these visits in each of our homes. It is crucial to the wellbeing of all of our residents and staff that all visits must take place safely.

Our Home Managers will contact families directly to discuss and agree whether and how visiting outdoors can be safely accommodated. Visits will also be weather dependent and subject to postponement in the event that the weather conditions are not appropriate (including temperature, rain and wind). These outdoor visiting arrangements will not be possible or appropriate for all of our residents, including those with serious medical conditions. We are continuing to review and consider how we can safely facilitate and support visits for this group of residents.

Family members must remain outside at all times and within their designated area of the grounds. Where the health and circumstances of an individual resident permit, we will bring the resident outside into the grounds or to a part of the care home which leads to the grounds including a lounge or conservatory.

All visits will be by appointment only, so that we can ensure that there is adequate time between visits for our staff to clean the visiting area. There will be a maximum of two visitors at any one time. We have implemented a risk assessment to ensure that we can keep everyone safe and the Home Manager will go through this with you. If you have any symptoms of the virus, or have been in close contact with anyone displaying symptoms, such as a high temperature, a cough, loss of smell or taste then you should not arrange to visit until seven days after you are symptom free.

Our staff have done an amazing job keeping residents safe and in touch with families via telephone and video calls during this difficult time and we would like to thank you for your support over the past 12 weeks. We hope that we can rely on your ongoing support over the coming months to ensure we keep all of our residents and staff safe.

We will continue to review our policies and procedures, using the best advice and guidance, and will update our website with any changes.

If you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Home Manager in the first instance. Alternatively, please contact us by email at [email protected]

Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

 

Karen Harkin

Chief Operating Officer