COVID 19

Covid 19 – Update – July 2021

Our commitment to keep residents and staff safe

The safety of our residents and staff is our utmost priority. Based on the latest government guidelines, we continue to update our stringent infection control protocols to minimise the risk as much as we possibly can. We work closely with our Local Authority partners so we are prepared to respond effectively to any possible outbreaks in the local area or in the homes.

New residents joining our family in Hestia’s care homes 

We follow the government guidelines which currently advise that all new residents should isolate on admission to protect staff and residents. Our caring team will support every new resident to ensure they feel settled, supported and part of the community.

Contact with families and loved ones

New and existing residents are supported to use available technology and devices to keep in touch with their loved ones.

Activities and entertainment

Our staff work hard to keep our residents safe, comfortable and entertained. Activities co-ordinators in each of our homes devise a weekly schedule based on the needs and personal preferences of residents. Any outings are risk assessed and carefully planned to minimise risk of contracting Covid-19.

Visits

If you have been confirmed as a Named/Designated Visitor, you can book a ‘Bedroom Visit’ by calling the home. There is no limit on the number of Named Visitor, there also isn’t a limit on the number of visits a resident can have in a single day. But please book your visit with the home, and please keep physical contact to a minimum. Close personal contact such as hugging presents higher risks but will be safer if it is between people who are double vaccinated, without face-to-face contact, and there is brief contact only.

Each home’s visiting policy reflects the latest government guidance, and we continue to monitor the situation closely. Homes continue to offer visits to friends or family members through arrangements such as outdoor visiting rooms, visiting pods and in the garden.

All visitors complete a declaration on arrival, use appropriate PPE, observe social distancing and follow appropriate infection control measures. Visitors are also tested using rapid lateral flow test on the day of every visit, and must demonstrate a negative result.

Any external team or contractor visits are only allowed when strictly essential, and must be pre-booked and staggered to minimise the number of people on site at any one time.

Social distancing and testing

We encourage our residents to socialise within smaller groups, and observe social distancing.

Before entering our homes or offices, our team members, visitors and contractors are required to complete health screening. All of our staff are regularly tested for Covid-19.  Where possible, team members work in the same groups and locations in order to reduce the risk of transmission.

Infection control

We have robust infection control protocols in place. We carry out regular risk assessments and have a dynamic action plan, should an outbreak occur in one of our homes or in the local community.

Hand sanitising stations are placed across all care homes for staff to use frequently.

A detailed cleaning schedule of the home ensures the highest levels of cleanliness. Additionally, we focus on frequent cleaning of high use touch points such as door handles and lift buttons. We use a multi-surface disinfectant that is effective against bacteria and viruses, including Covid-19.

Our staff follow guidance on use of appropriate PPE. We have sufficient supplies of PPE, including face coverings, aprons and gloves.

Caring for our residents, and caring for each other

We are grateful to our amazing teams across all of our homes for their commitment, dedication and love that they have shown to the residents, their loved ones, each other and everyone we work with.

We have introduced a number of staff support initiatives, including Mental Health First Aid training for staff, reflection time and we regularly celebrate their work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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