Covid visiting update
14/04/22
VISITOR POLICY: REVISED and issued on 31st March
Government guidance on visiting has changed and this is included with this policy update. However, the removal of the requirement for visitors to test before visiting, where they are not carrying out personal care, did not feel consistent with the extremely high community infection levels, so I decided to delay the implementation of this change in testing requirements until a week after the residents had received their 4th dose of vaccine. The vaccine was administered to the residents on Monday this week, so we will be implementing the new government guidelines from 18th April 2022.
Welcoming anyone into Eastfield from the community inevitably brings risk of COVID-19 transmission. However, these risks can be managed and mitigated, and balanced against the importance of visiting and the benefits it brings to patients and their families.
We will obviously be as flexible as possible if it is essential for a resident to have a member of the family in to see them. In the meantime, please ring 01730 892268 if you would like to discuss aspects of care with the nursing staff, or to speak to a loved one. We will of course keep the visiting policy under review and make changes as appropriate.
1. Every care home resident should have one visitor who can visit in all circumstances (including during periods of isolation and outbreak). End-of-life visits should always be facilitated.
2. Only visitors providing personal care should test before visiting. They will not need to test more than twice a week. But if you are visiting less then twice weekly please do so on the day of visiting to maximise safety for residents.
3. NHS staff should be able to provide evidence of a negative test within the last 72 hours. CQC inspectors should test before their inspection, up to a maximum of twice a week if they are in care settings 2 times or more per week.
4. Other visiting professionals should be tested with tests provided by the care home if they are providing personal care, as per the guidance for visitors providing personal care.
5. Care home residents should only self-isolate if they test positive for COVID-19, or if they are admitted from a hospital where there is an active outbreak
Government guidance on visiting has changed and this is included with this policy update. However, the removal of the requirement for visitors to test before visiting, where they are not carrying out personal care, did not feel consistent with the extremely high community infection levels, so I decided to delay the implementation of this change in testing requirements until a week after the residents had received their 4th dose of vaccine. The vaccine was administered to the residents on Monday this week, so we will be implementing the new government guidelines from 18th April 2022.
Welcoming anyone into Eastfield from the community inevitably brings risk of COVID-19 transmission. However, these risks can be managed and mitigated, and balanced against the importance of visiting and the benefits it brings to patients and their families.
We will obviously be as flexible as possible if it is essential for a resident to have a member of the family in to see them. In the meantime, please ring 01730 892268 if you would like to discuss aspects of care with the nursing staff, or to speak to a loved one. We will of course keep the visiting policy under review and make changes as appropriate.
"Residents have had their 4th vaccination!"
Government visitor guidance:1. Every care home resident should have one visitor who can visit in all circumstances (including during periods of isolation and outbreak). End-of-life visits should always be facilitated.
2. Only visitors providing personal care should test before visiting. They will not need to test more than twice a week. But if you are visiting less then twice weekly please do so on the day of visiting to maximise safety for residents.
3. NHS staff should be able to provide evidence of a negative test within the last 72 hours. CQC inspectors should test before their inspection, up to a maximum of twice a week if they are in care settings 2 times or more per week.
4. Other visiting professionals should be tested with tests provided by the care home if they are providing personal care, as per the guidance for visitors providing personal care.
5. Care home residents should only self-isolate if they test positive for COVID-19, or if they are admitted from a hospital where there is an active outbreak
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