The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed that flu circulating in the general population has reached pre-Covid pandemic levels and advised all eligible people to have their free flu vaccination and Covid-19 booster.

Flu can make anyone poorly for several days, and for elderly care home residents the consequences of catching flu can be very serious as they may develop complications and require hospitalisation. It is important that precautions are taken to reduce the risk of flu entering and circulating widely in care homes.

OSJCT is following Public Health England’s advice by requiring any resident who moves into a care home, to receive in-room support for the first 5 days before they join with wider care home community. Employees who become unwell with flu are unable to work for at least 5 days and must stay away from the care home until they are well again.

Homes that have a confirmed outbreak of flu will remain closed to all except essential visitors for a minimum of 5 days and for an outbreak of Covid-19 will remain closed to all except essential visitors for a minimum of 10 days.

Adhering to infection prevention and control measures is important in managing the risk of spreading any winter virus. These measures include:

• Supporting 5 days of isolation for anyone who contracts flu
• Liaising with local Public Health teams to assess and define an outbreak where several cases of flu occur in a care home
• Encouraging all employees, residents and visitors to take up flu and Covid-19 boosters
• Mandatory wearing of facemasks in care homes by everyone except for residents or children aged 11 or under
• Regular handwashing

Any potential visitors who feel unwell or have recently been in the company of someone who has fallen ill should postpone their visit until they feel well.

Anyone with a loved one living in a care home affected by an outbreak will be kept informed of the details of any outbreak by the care home’s senior management team. Please be reassured that the care and wellbeing of residents is the top priority for OSJCT care teams.