Following the latest Government guidance for visits to care homes published on 16^th July we have updated our visiting policy. Full details on local arrangements can be obtained direct from your local home manager, a summary appears below:

There is no longer a limit to the number of different people that can visit. However, we are still requesting that a maximum of two people visit on any one day.

We continue to offer visits to other friends and family members either in the garden or a visiting pod.

Testing, wearing of PPE and maintaining a minimum 2 metre social distance still apply and visits should be booked in advance.

At the discretion of the home manager, it may be possible for lateral flow testing to be completed remotely prior to any visit. Please speak to the home manager for further details.

Residents can visit friends and family outside of the home without the need to isolate on return, but we are taking a number of precautions to minimise the risk to the resident and to other residents of the home:

• It is our preference that anyone who is part of an ‘indoor’ visit outside of the care home is vaccinated and LFT tests are completed. (The home can provide details about obtaining and registering tests)
• Social distancing continues to apply
• Gatherings with more than 2 households present is considered high risk and would potentially necessitate our resident isolating on their return
• Residents must avoid crowded public places. Shopping centres and indoor restaurants are considered high risk and could result in the need to isolate on return
• Overnight hospital stays currently require isolation on return to the home
• A visit to another care home can present a very high risk and should be discussed with us before being organised

Visits may have to be cancelled at short notice should the Covid status of a home change, or if a home is instructed to by local health officials in response to community levels of infection.

We are enormously grateful for the understanding and support that we have received and continue to receive from the families and friends of residents.