Latest update: 17 May

Update for families and friends, more named visitors and more visits out of care homes without isolating on return

As you are aware the Prime Minister announced further easing of restrictions for care homes in his broadcast last Monday, accompanied by this press release. Residents are now able to have more named visitors, who can meet their loved ones to hold hands without socially distancing. In addition, the period of visiting restrictions due to an outbreak will now only be 14 days from the last positive test in most cases (subject to variant), and more outside visits can take place without the need for ‘in-room care’ following those visits.

Increasing the numbers of named visitors

Residents can now nominate additional named visitors, up to a total of five. These include their current named visitors, and, for those who have one, an essential care giver.

There will continue to be a limit to the number of visits a care home can have at any one time. Each resident will be able to see a maximum of two visitors per day, either together or separately, and subject to the home’s capacity to manage visits. Exceptions to this limit may apply, such as end of life and essential care giver visits.

Visits out of care homes

Residents will be supported to leave the care home for visits and low risk activities, without the need to isolate for 14 days on return.

Low risk activities include:

Spending time outdoors but not in large groups
Outdoor exercise whilst socially distancing from others
Taking part in education or training
Medical appointments
Attending a day centre

(Updated as 25 June. Overnight stays with friends and family members, subject to a risk assessments, can now take place without the resident having to isolate on their return. However residents staying overnight in a hospital or high risk setting will still need to receive in room care for 14 days on return to the care home.)

Each visit out of the care home will require an individual risk assessment.

Thank you for your patience. Relaxing restrictions is welcome news for us all, but we are mindful to introduce these changes safely and fairly for all our residents and families.