
UPDATE: PLEASE NOTE THAT BECAUSE OF THE ADDITIONAL LOCAL RESTRICTIONS BEING IMPOSED ON BOLTON WE ARE CURRENTLY UNABLE TO FACILITATE ANY VISITS. AS AND WHEN THE LOCAL RESTRICTIONS ARE LIFTED THE FOLLOWING POLICY WILL BE APPLIED:
The government is continually updating its guidance with regards visiting to care homes. People in long-term care facilities remain vulnerable and strict precautions need to continue, including visits only taking place outdoors.
Guidance to care homes states that access to the building should not be facilitated other than for extraordinary circumstance like end of life.
Settings with new or ongoing outbreaks / symptomatic residents should refrain from commencing socially distanced visits until everyone has completed their 14-day isolation period and are symptom free.
Current Visiting Policy
The following is the current visiting policy for the Bakewells and The Deane:
- Visitors MUST not visit if they or any of their immediate family members have symptoms or have had a positive test within the preceding 14 days.
- Visitors MUST not visit if they have been identified as a CONTACT of a positive case and must self-isolate for 14 days.
- Visits to take place in the open air only, not indoors.
- A member of staff to oversee the visits at all times.
- Visitors are not permitted to use the toilet facilities.
- Visitors will not be provided with any refreshments. Visitors will be encouraged to bring their own drinks and snacks. These are not to be shared with the resident.
- Maximum of two visitors per visit.
- Service animals are permitted. However, pets are not permitted due to the difficulties in maintaining social distancing.
- Visitors must wear a cloth face covering at all times during the visit (which they should provide themselves which will protect the PPE stocks of the home for use by staff). Further guidance with regards the use of face coverings can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering
- Visits are by appointment only, for a maximum of 30 minutes, once a week for each resident.
- Only 4 appointments per day will be allocated (due to staffing requirements).
- Visitors are respectfully asked to attend at their booked time. If visitors arrive late their visit will finish at the scheduled time to allow preparation for the next visitors.
ALL VISITS WILL BE SUSPENDED IF ANY OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE SUSPECTED OF HAVING COVID-19 OR BECOME CONFIRMED CASES.
Please note the following:
- The current visiting point for residents of the Bakewells is the main front door.
- The current visiting point for residents of the Deane is the fire door next to the Laundry. (Please not that when the visiting pod has been installed and commissioned all visits will take place in the pod)
- No access to the inside of the building will be permitted by visitors at any time (with the exemption of families visiting residents receiving end of life care).
- Visitors will have their temperature checked prior to the start of any visit.
- Staff will continue to wear full PPE as outlined in government guidance during all visits.
- If visitors would like to bring toiletries or gifts for their relative, they must be placed into a plastic bag and left with the care staff, who must disinfect them prior to them being given to the resident.
- Visitors are discouraged from bringing any other gifts that cannot be disinfected prior to handling by the resident or staff.
Review and Revision:
Please note that guidance is changing by the day and this visiting policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure compliance. All staff and visitors will be notified of any changes to the policy at the appropriate time.