Shropshire Star

Excitement builds as visiting restrictions for Shropshire care homes are relaxed

Excitement is building as visiting restrictions at care homes have been relaxed to allow for emotional reunions with the easing of lockdown.

Published
Last updated
The visiting pod at Wheatlands Care Home with hostess Carolyn Abberley, resident Cynthia Espley and team leader Lucy Gray

As part of the Prime Minister’s roadmap out of lockdown, care home residents can now nominate a single relative or loved one who will be able to visit them regularly indoors.

Hugs and kisses are not allowed but they can hold hands and make repeat visits under carefully designed conditions aimed at keeping everyone safe.

Visitors are required to have a Covid-19 test beforehand and wear PPE during the visit, to help curb the chance of spreading the virus.

The Wheatlands Care Home, in Much Wenlock, has been able to use a specially designed pod during the lockdown to allow visiting to continue, but the new rules which came into force yesterday will allow residents to have closer contact with their loved ones indoors.

Manager Claire Brewer said final preparations were being made for these kinds of visits to begin from tomorrow.

She said: "We've been very fortunate, we've had a designated visiting pod since the start of December and it's been available to all the residents.

"It's got two separate entrances – one for the residents and one for family members – and it has a perspex screen.

"It's been really successful and some family members will continue to use that. It gives them the opportunity to talk without having PPE on.

Excitement

"Technology has also allowed the residents to keep in touch with loved ones.

"We are continuing with everything we have got but we are now adding an extra layer. We are supporting our residents to choose one designated person.

"They will be able to come into the home following a lateral flow test and having their temperature taken.

"They will then be able to sit with that resident in their bedroom but they will have to wear PPE in line with government guidance.

"We have some families who are very excited about being able to do that."

She said all staff and residents at the care home have also now had their Covid vaccination.

Wheatlands Care Home general manager Claire Brewer at the visiting pod

David Coull, chief executive of Coverage Care Services, said the provider had already started welcoming visitors back indoors at its care homes, although it is taking a cautious approach to begin with.

He said perspex screens were being used at first, with designated areas available for visiting, and protocols have been developed to allow visits to happen in a safe way.

"Things are looking really positive," he said.

"We are being cautious in the early weeks but we've committed to reviewing the arrangements at the end of the month.

"Initially we will be using screened visits. It will enable more people to visit, although each resident will have a nominated person.

"We are prepared to be flexible about some things depending on people's needs."

Visitors will be asked to wear PPE such as a face mask or visor and gloves, and testing will be brought in once arrangements are reviewed and the screens are able to be removed.

David added: "We are tremendously grateful for the work our staff have done.

"They have worked to keep people safe and have been utterly remarkable."