During the pandemic our utmost priority has always been to maintain the safety and wellbeing of our residents and this will always be at the heart of the decisions we take, in our response to updated government guidance. 

We wanted to update you on our visiting policy in relation to the change in Government restrictions from 08th March:

The new visiting procedure that we will be following is outlined below: –

  • Relatives will need to follow the current booking system in all our homes to arrange their visit.
  • We request for relatives to come 30 minutes prior to their scheduled visiting time to do a Lateral Flow Device test.
  • On arrival relatives will need to notify the reception by using the reception call bell and will need to wait for team members assistance.
  • A designated team member will assist each relative with taking the swab for the Later Flow Device test.
  • The relative must wait in the waiting area or own car until the test analysis is completed and the designated team member confirms the result. 
  • If the result is negative, the relative will be supported to wear appropriate PPE and will be escorted to the resident’s room where they can visit their loved ones safely for a duration of one hour.
  • Relatives are advised to follow the PPE guidelines as instructed by the home and to maintain social distancing to mitigate the risks further.
  • Once the visits are completed, the relative will be escorted outside safely by one team member.
  • If a relative test positive for Covid-19, then they will be asked to leave the premises immediately and will be advised to self-isolate in line with the guidelines.  Homes will follow the infection control procedures as per the risk assessments.
  • There can only be one nominated visitor per resident for Inhouse visits.
  • We will continue with our indoor visits in the protected visiting area where the glass partitions are in place. This will give opportunity for the family member who cannot come for Inhouse visits, to see their loved ones.
  • There can be a maximum of two nominated visitors per resident for indoor visits in the protected visiting area, however, unless the two nominated visitors live in the same household or are part of the same social bubble they will need to visit separately.
  • Visiting for exceptional circumstances such as end of life will be continued to be facilitated inside the home for the maximum of one hour per day, as arranged with the Home Manager.
Cuffley Manor Potters bar positivity following the Covid 19 Vaccine Rollout

Please see the following link to the full details of the Government Guidelines if you do require any additional information:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visiting-care-homes-during-coronavirus/update-on-policies-for-visiting-arrangements-in-care-homes

Please be aware that in the event of a Covid-19 outbreak, the home will rapidly move to stop all visiting (except in exceptional circumstances such as end of life) to protect vulnerable residents, team members and visitors. Whilst we understand this can be difficult for you, I hope you understand that this is necessary to protect everyone and that such decisions are reached in partnership with the Public Health Protection Team. 

If there are single cases of Covid-19 in the home, then our homes will liaise with the Public Health Protection Team and will follow their guidance relating to visiting. In such cases homes will send out individual relative communications.

Please contact your home update for further information regarding visiting.

Home contact details

Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding as we work together to ensure the safety of our residents is at the heart of all we do.