Coronavirus information

 

From Monday 4th April 2022, the guidance on care home visiting has eased again.

The first change is that most visitors are not required to take a lateral flow test before a visit. We are very mindful of trying to balance residents’ health and wellbeing and their need to enjoy time with family and friends, but we also still need to manage the risks from Covid. If you are able to take a test, that would be helpful, otherwise we do need your strongest commitment to abide by all the infection prevention and control guidance – including wearing a face mask at all times. This the only way that we can reduce the spread of Covid and stay out of lockdowns – these are having a devastating effect on everyone.

The Government has recently updated the list of symptoms of COVID-19, flu and common respiratory infections:

  • continuous cough
  • high temperature, fever or chills
  • loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
  • shortness of breath
  • unexplained tiredness, lack of energy
  • muscle aches or pains that are not due to exercise
  • not wanting to eat or not feeling hungry
  • headache that is unusual or longer lasting than usual
  • sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
  • diarrhea, feeling sick or being sick

 

We ask you not to visit if you have symptoms from this list that suggest any risk of Covid.

The only people required to have a negative lateral flow test are Essential Care Givers providing personal care. Essential Care Givers do not need to book an appointment and are welcome at any time, including during a Covid outbreak, but we do ask that you let the home know that you’re coming. We’ll continue to provide the test.

We no longer need you to book a visit, and there are no restrictions on how long you can stay, or how many times you come and you can now use all the rooms you normally would. We’re really happy that visiting is almost back to normal with face masks continuing to give everyone some protection and peace of mind.

Sadly the guidance on what happens when there are Covid cases in a home has not changed significantly. The UK Health Security Agency (previously called Public Health England) still advises locking down a home when there are two or more cases and we are required to lock down for ten days. This can end up in the really unhelpful situation of a home staying longer in a lock-down if any more staff or residents test positive – this starts the clock again for another ten days.

We’ll always support end-of-life visiting, and testing is not required in any circumstances for an end-of-life visit.

Our staff will carry on taking a lateral flow test twice per week.

Essential Care Giver

The option to be an Essential Care Giver is still available if this hasn’t been right for you up until now. Essential care givers are always able to enter a care home even during an outbreak.

Feedback

I wanted to say again that it’s really helpful to hear your feedback, especially your suggestions or any concerns. It feels like we’re still navigating through a lot of uncertainty and we want to get things right for you and your relative.

If you have any further questions, please contact us by email covid19support@sheffcare.co.uk

 

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