As visitor numbers are currently strictly controlled, we are unable to facilitate live, in-person tours. However, colleagues will be on hand to conduct a video call which can include a virtual tour to give you a feel for the home and enable you to see some of its facilities.

OSJCT has exceeded all targets for COVID-19 testing for residents and staff as anyone displaying symptoms will be tested and will isolate until the results are known.
 
Other measures include:

• Starting from the week commencing 29th June, we have entered into the next Department of Health and Social Care testing pilot for care homes where, subject to consent, every employee will be tested once a week for four weeks, our current residents will be tested once and all new residents and employees will be tested when we welcome them into our homes. From August 2020, all care homes will receive ongoing weekly testing for employees and monthly testing for residents.
• All residents have their temperature taken daily and are tested immediately if their temperature is raised. 
• We have pulse oximeters in every home and test all residents’ oxygen levels daily. The equipment measures oxygen levels, as a drop in oxygen saturation level is an early warning sign of both COVID-19 and respiratory problems. This allows us to speak to the resident’s GP, sometimes before any other symptoms are felt.
• OSJCT employs our own clinical nurse specialist in infection control who has been instrumental in ensuring that our teams have the best protocols and procedures in place at the right time.

Government guidance requires individuals being admitted from hospital to be tested before being discharged to a care home. In addition, in order to support the most vulnerable in our care communities, OSJCT protocols require any new resident coming to the home to be supported by 14 days of in-room care.

All our homes and schemes have stocks of PPE that far exceed minimum requirements and is being used in line with government guidance. Stock levels are monitored rigorously, and our equipment levels have not been disrupted since lockdown began.

We also have meticulous deep-cleaning practices in place which help ensure the ongoing safety of residents, staff and visitors.

Current visiting protocols

The importance of visits in terms of resident and family member wellbeing is always utmost in our decision making on visiting protocols whilst following government and Public Health guidelines to keep our residents and employees safe. We have clear protocols in place which are developed in line with government guidance and in discussion with the Department of Health and Public Health England and it is essential that we follow these protocols consistently.

Initially Care Homes were restricted to visiting from essential visitors only, but we were pleased that this was then extended to limited family visits over the past few months.

In recent weeks, the Government introduced a new Tier system, we are in a position to update visiting. The overall national picture follows, and regional exceptions can be read on our Regional Update page. 

High/Tier 2 and Very high/Tier 3    
If a care home is in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 location then it will not be open to visitors and potential visitors who live in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 location will also not be able to visit any care homes. There will be exceptional circumstances to these rules such as when a resident is receiving end of life care and we will conduct a thorough risk assessment to ensure we keep everyone as safe as possible. The link to government guidance is here.

Medium/Tier 1    
Where homes are in Tier 1, they will still be accepting visits unless in outbreak status. However, potential visitors who live in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 location will also not be able to visit these homes. We will monitor this on a weekly basis.

The local Directors of Public Health have a responsibility to provide us weekly updates on whether it is safe for care homes to have visits. Public Health look at a variety of information to make a decision which includes the level of local cases and geographical mapping; test and trace information; R value; Cases in care homes; care home testing of staff and residents and infection, prevention and control and Personal Protective Equipment use in care homes. In the event they were to issue a local instruction to further restrict visits to our homes we would write to you as soon as we were made aware. 

We review our protocols weekly to ensure that our residents are comfortable during visits whilst keeping them protected from the risk of coronavirus. We are currently working hard on our dedicated visitor rooms to ensure the best protection is in place for internal visits.

Colleagues have worked tirelessly to ensure that a full range of vibrant and engaging activities are maintained. This has included baking, gardening and croquet in the garden where possible.

You can read more about these activities here.

View our stories

The key thing is that you thoroughly research your home – it must be right for you and your family. You should visit www.cqc.org.uk and read the homes’ latest Care Quality Commission report, and then head to www.carehome.co.uk where you can see reviews of homes you are interested in.

To discuss our homes, you can contact OSJCT on 0800 9888133 and visit our Find A Home section on the website. In ‘normal circumstances’ we would arrange a visit to the home, so are working hard to arrange as many ‘’virtual visits’ as we can during the Covid-19 restrictions.

To see if you are entitled to funding, we have prepared a funding document to help you navigate the rules and regulations.

If you do not qualify for council or local authority funding, you can approach The Society of Later Life Advisers, which offers impartial advice on finance for care homes. If you do qualify for funding, or believe you could be entitled to a contribution, you should approach your local authority to find out more.

A financial assessment will then be carried out and you will be able to sign a contract, move in and join our vibrant, supportive community.