NEW measures announced by the government mean that care homes residents will soon be able to enjoy more meaningful visits with loved ones.
From Monday, 8 March, residents will be able to have regular indoor visits from one named person.
Although Liverpool City Council no longer operates any care homes, only offering 24-hour care placements in its reablement hubs, the council is urging all care home providers in the city to put measures in place that enable visits to take place in line with the new government guidance.
Whilst the vaccination programme for care home residents and staff has made good progress, controlling the spread of infection within homes remains a priority so the following steps for visiting will be followed:
• Each resident will be able to have regular visits from one named visitor
• Before visits can take place the care home will perform a risk assessment for reach resident
• Each home must set up a visiting schedule and a booking system for visits
• The visitor will be required to have a lateral flow test before each visit (details will be confirmed by individual care homes but usually taken 30 minutes before the visit)
• During the visit the visitor must wear PPE. This will include a mask as a minimum requirement
• Visitors and residents will be allowed to hold hands.
If there is an outbreak of Covid in a care home visiting will be suspended and will resume only when the infection prevention control team has given approval. However, during an outbreak end-of-life visiting will be allowed.
These guidelines will continue to be reviewed as the vaccination programme progresses.
For further information about visiting care homes, please contact homes directly.
