09/12/2021
As you will have seen from the News and Prime Minister Briefings, a new Omicron Covid Variant has become known and entered the UK, There is concern regarding the rapid transmission of the Variant and whether our current vaccines are effective against it. It was announced last evening that Plan B was to become effective and people should work from home where possible. There were also other changes which you can easily see on the BBC News website. It is therefore even more important that we all abide by the new Guidance and get vaccinated, including the booster.
The positive cases in Bradford area have increased in the last week to 295/100,000 (The average in England is 513/100,000) and there was 1597new cases in last week (an increase of 229).
Visitors will be, during their allocated time, permitted to take their loved one out for a short walk, either around the grounds or down to local park.
Vaccines: we are pleased to report that the residents have had their second vaccine and the staff team have now also received their second vaccine. Our residents and staff have already commenced having their booster vaccines.
We will be re-testing all staff again (PCR tests) in addition to the LFT that staff do at home twice per week.
The Government had made it Mandatory for all staff who work in care homes to be vaccinated from November 11, 2021 to enable them to work in care. I can confirm that all employees have been double vaccinated, with a handful of staff being medically exempt. We can confirm that we will have sufficient numbers of doubly vaccinated staff to provide care for our residents. No doubt this Mandate will make some difficulties in recruiting new staff in the future as we will only be able to recruit staff who are doubly vaccinated against Covid 19.
Visiting Protocol.
As with our previous visiting protocol there are a few points I need to bring to your attention, as per Guidelines.
1. The Protocol for visiting, as detailed below, is not flexible and will be strictly enforced by us (so as to protect your loved ones and our staff).
2. Should we have a confirmed or suspected Covid case in the future the home will cease visiting immediately and no further visiting (for 14 days) will be allowed following the confirmed or suspected case being known to us.
Each family is to nominate visitors per resident , and only that person(s) is permitted to visit for the foreseeable future- this is not interchangeable between family members (we recommend only 2 visitors can visit at any one time or in same day).
• Visits will need to be pre booked (no ad hoc visiting permitted) by calling the home
When booking we will require the name of the Nominated visitor(s), their contact details (Track and Tracing). We would kindly request that you limit your visits, thus allowing all residents to receive a visitor.
• You will be required to attend ½ an hour before your allotted visiting slot so as we can undertake a Lateral Flow Test ( saliva test for Covid-19)-as per Government Requirement.- Should the Test be positive you will not be able to proceed with your visit and we will recommend you attend the local Testing Centre to receive a PCR Test (sent to a laboratory for testing), and also to self-isolate until you receive that test result back. We are required to inform PHE of all test results.
• Visits will be limited to 1 hour, no Children under 16, or pets will be allowed.
• You will need to go to our main reception upon arrival, and you will be asked a series of questions and have your temperature checked.
If you are showing any symptoms of the virus (persistent new cough; raised temperature or lack of taste or smell), or feel generally unwell, please don’t travel to the Home as you will be refused entry.
• It will be a condition of the visit that you clean your hands and use our sanitising gel, wear gloves and an apron which we will provide, and a face covering.
• You will be taken by a member of staff directly to the Visiting Lounge. You should try and touch as little as possible in the visiting lounge and you cannot bring anything into the lounge including food, clothes, gifts etc. for your relative. At the end of your visit go directly to your car.
• Please remember our residents (your loved ones) are very vulnerable, so please ensure your PPE is not taken off during your time with your loved one.
• You should use the WC provided at our main reception as you will not be allowed to use any toilet facilities within the unit.
This protocol will be reviewed regularly in line with PHE Guidance and is subject to change as required (which will be communicated to you)
We urge everyone to please abide by the Guidelines and restrict your movements and contacts to a bare necessity.
Vaccinations: Whilst it is not Mandatory for Friends and Families of Residents to be Double Vaccinated against Covid 19, it is strongly recommended for your wellbeing and the safety of our Residents.
However, ALL other visitors to the Home (except emergency services and the medically exempt) will be required to show proof of being Double Vaccinated before they are permitted entry into the Home. This is in addition to the above identified checks we undertake upon arrival at the Home.
Please remember you can see and speak to your loved ones via Skype, Facetime or WhatsApp- just ask the staff and they will be more than happy to facilitate this for you.
Many thanks for your continued support and understanding and please be assured we are doing everything we can to keep your loved ones safe.
