Dear family member or friend,

We are thankful that this year residents, employees and visitors to our care homes can enjoy winter celebrations, activities and community events, with more freedom than in the last two years. Whilst Covid-19, flu and other serious winter illnesses, continue to be in circulation, the use of masks, infection prevention and control measures and vaccinations mean that our teams are better equipped to manage and mitigate the risks of outbreaks and wide-spread transmission.

I am writing to ask you to support our infection prevention measures and reduce the risk to yourself and your loved one of catching any winter virus. Our top priority is the care and safety of your loved ones living in our care homes. In line with Government guidance, we require all visitors to wear facemasks at all times inside care homes and adhere to hand hygiene in our care homes. I also encourage you to have your Covid booster and flu vaccinations to support your own immunity and reduce the risk of catching and transmitting these infections.

Since the reduction in facemask wearing and social distancing among the general population rates of flu have increased. Residents are also vulnerable to highly transmissible infections such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and norovirus. Your diligence in wearing facemasks at all times inside our care homes and adhering to hand hygiene helps to reduce the risk of all winter viruses.

Catching any winter viruses makes a person more susceptible to catching a secondary infection. We continue to remember that care home residents are among the most vulnerable in society, and that we must do all we can to reduce the risk of infections. Please postpone any visit should you feel unwell or have spent time with someone who subsequently falls ill.

OSJCT care homes are still subject to being closed to visitors, by their local Public Health England team, on a temporary basis when a virus is confirmed in a home. We very much wish to keep our doors open so that residents can have visitors through the festive time and the winter months.

Thank you for your support to help us reduce the risk of winter infections and keep our doors open to visitors. With best wishes,

Mike Stredder

OSJCT Operations Director