Dec 2020
Latest update: 24 December
Visiting updates following discovery of new COVID-19 variant and creation of Tier 4
Following the discovery of the new variant of COVID-19 and the knowledge that it has a 70 per cent higher transmission rate, we are bringing in new guidance for visitors to keep our residents and colleagues as safe as possible.
We have put together a table which includes the new Tier 4 to outline all the visiting possibilities – it can be viewed at the bottom of this message or by clicking here to view in a higher resolution pdf format. Until we have rolled out Lateral Flow Testing (expected mid January) additional cleaning of our visitor rooms will be required between each visit as of 00.01am on 27 December. This will place extra pressures on colleagues and therefore reduce the number of visits which can be safely enabled in a day. Home Managers will determine the safe number of visits that can be accommodated each day.
We acknowledge that this will be disappointing news at this time but given higher transmission rate and that Government guidance is to stay at home wherever possible we must ensure that we protect your loved ones to the highest level possible. We will issue new guidance in the New Year which takes account of the new lateral flow tests.
Where a home is in Tier 4 or a visitor resides in Tier 4, and their loved one has been identified as in receipt of End of Life care, it has been agreed that two individuals from the same household can visit at the same time. Family and loved ones from other households can also visit, but these visits must be on separate occasions and not mixing different households.
Visitor Charter
The vast majority of the visiting experiences have been welcomed and supportive to our residents, employees and family members however we have had a small minority of cases where our employees have not been treated with the respect they deserve especially at such a busy and challenging time.
We would like to politely remind all visitors of the importance to treat our employees and others with respect when visiting our homes/sites. We all work for the same outcome: the safety and good health of our residents and your loved ones.
All residents, employees and visitors have the right to be treated with respect and to feel safe and we have therefore introduced a Visitor Charter which can be found here.
Kerry Dearden
Deputy Chief Executive