Harrowby Lodge guidance for visitors during COVID

 

REVISED GUIDANCE ON CARE HOME VISITING - Updated 31 May 2022

We are writing to advise you that we are taking another step towards NORMAL visiting.

The changes will be as follows:

  • Please continue to phone the home to advise of your visit and time – which will be more relaxed.

  • No more than TWO visitors at any one time – unless special arrangements are made.

  • Report to WHITE DOOR – at the top of the left-hand side of the driveway. Ring bell to enter. You will be asked to wear a mask, complete visitors book and antibac your hands.

  • You will then be free to visit either in the bedroom or lounge area.

There will be no restrictions on visits, but we would ask you to avoid mealtimes – 12 midday to 2:00pm and 5:00pm until 6:30pm. Visiting hours are between 10:30am and 7:30pm.

If you are participating in care needs, arrangements are different and will be discussed with you.

Obviously to protect residents we would ask you to limit hugging and close contact. If you have any signs of a cold or flu like symptoms – please DO NOT VISIT.

Thank you,

Sue and Julie

 
 

REVISED GUIDANCE ON CARE HOME VISITING - Updated 14 December 2021

Below are the additional measures we need to follow:

  • The need to limit the number of visitors for each resident to 3 named people.

  • Thorough handwashing followed by antibacterial sanitiser will replace the need to wear gloves.

  • Every resident will have a risk assessment in relation to visits.

  • LFT tests must be registered to the nursing homes unique number and reported on the day of visit.

  • Residents going out and returning from what we class as high-risk venues will be isolated with daily LFT tests and a PCR test on day 7 – this is to protect other residents and our staff.

All visits are now strictly by appointment – made in advance.  This is to allow staff to manage the visit and limit the number of visitors in the home at any one time.

The names of the 3 nominated visitors will be recorded on “Residents Risk Assessment”.  On arrival to the home, visitors will be greeted as before.  You will be escorted to the area where visit will be taking place – either bedroom or by arrangement the conservatory.  We would ask you NOT to wander around the home.

Please do not hug or have close contact with whom you are visiting.  Holding hands is permitted and a window may be open.

Visitors conducting LFT tests prior to visit – Test must be done as near to the visit as possible.  Once the test is completed and registered you should come directly to the home – preventing the risk of contracting the virus enroute.  If in any doubt LFT should be performed at Harrowby Lodge.

On arrival, to gain entry to the home, we will need to see:

  • An email or text from NHS test and trace

  • A date stamped photo of the result of the LFT cartridge

Failure to show the above will mean you will have to reschedule if other visitors have booked appointments.

All visits outside of the home must be discussed with Mrs Salt our manager.  A risk assessment will be undertaken and discussed with you.  These will take place on an individual basis.

As a small home we have kept you informed throughout the pandemic and I thank all visitors for their understanding and the way we have worked together to keep the home safe.

Although we are obliged to follow the government guidelines, there are times when exceptions have to be addressed, for example, end of life care.  Please, if you have any questions or need further guidance speak to Mrs Salt – the home manager on (01476) – 568505 who will be able to discuss and advise you.

Arrangements that are in place will not change over the Christmas period.

Julie and I would like to wish you all a very enjoyable Christmas and a New Year full of promise that we may return to the freedom we enjoyed pre COVID.

Thank you

Sue and Julie

AMENDMENT TO RECEIVING VISITORS INTO THE HOME - 24th May 2021

Visitors who are able to, please complete a lateral flow test (LFT) prior to coming to the home. This will save your time and that of our staff. Your test must be registered to the homes unique identifier number.

Please report to the front door - near the garden gate.

You will be welcomed by one of the staff who will ask to see your test result and take your details. Providing this is a clear negative, you will be asked to cleanse your hands with antibac and put on PPE - apron, gloves and mask.

You will then be asked to go round to the conservatory, where a member of staff will open the door for you to visit inside.

We would ask that you do keep a distance - you can hold hands but please do not hug and remember any contact does pose a risk.

When your visit is over, please leave by the conservatory door. Place your PPE in the white bin with yellow bag, situated in the porch by the front door.

Visits must continue to be arranged by appointment system. Visits to the POD and outdoor visits at this point, remain unchanged.

Visits to residents bedrooms are by special arrangement with the Home Manager.

As you are all aware, there are new strains of the virus which do cause concern. We want to welcome you all to visit and understand the important of visiting, however, we do ask you all to exercise caution to keep risks to a minimum, to protect both our residents and staff.

Hopefully the weather will soon give us some sunshine and visits can take place outside where the risks are much lower. We all look forward to the time when restrictions can be lifted but I fear this will not be in the near future. Meanwhile, we do our very best to care both physically and socially for your loved ones. Sarah-Jane now has her own IPAD for use with activities and will be sharing activity events with you.

There is just one thing that would help us - if I could ask you not to phone before 11:00am to make appointments as this is our busy time - we would be grateful.

Thank you all for your support and understanding during this difficult time, your kind words of appreciation really do mean a lot to our staff.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if there is anything we can do to help or advise.

Thank you

Sue and Julie

UPDATE REGARDING VISITING AND GOING OUT - 6th May 2021

As you are aware the Government have agreed that residents may go out for a walk in the park and even have a drink from the coffee shop whilst out - without having to isolate on return. This does cause the home some anxiety but we do support the move. However, we must be able to put our trust in you to protect not only your own relative but all our residents and staff.

At this point, despite what has been viewed on the television, the outing should be as follows:

A walk to the park - a visit to the coffee shop whilst in the park - but please keep TWO meters distance from other users

A walk to your own garden for a cup of tea

There should be no close contact ie, hugging or kissing and ideally just TWO people involved in the outing.

At this point if we follow guidelines there are to be NO car journeys.

Please contact the home to ensure we have your relative ready and bear in mind the weather.

Our outside patio and garden visits, POD visits along with contact visits are still in operation - on an appointment basis.

We now await further news regarding lifting of restrictions on 17th May 2021.

Please bear in mind the only reason these outside walks have been rushed through is to allow for voting - for those residents able to go to polling stations.

All we ask is that you exercise caution - stay away from large numbers of people and help us to keep everyone safe.

Thank you

Sue and Julie