Latest Visiting Guidelines

We received the following letter from Helen Whately MP - Minister of State for Care
15 July 2021

Dear Colleagues,

Visiting arrangements in care homes

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) recognises that care providers are
experiencing unprecedented challenges. COVID-19 outbreaks continue to affect people who receive care, particularly residents in care homes, as well as staff.

We recognise how important it is to allow care home residents to meet their loved ones
safely, and appreciate the challenges visiting restrictions pose for loved ones. We continue to try to seek the right balance between infection prevention and allowing more visiting, more of the time.

With the easing of national restrictions on 19th July, care home visiting restrictions will also ease further. This includes the removal of guidance that limited the number of nominated visitors a resident can receive overall or on any one day. Guidance has also been updated to reflect that every care home resident should be supported to have an Essential Care Giver for companionship.

 

The updated guidance can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visiting-care-homes-during-coronavirus.

 

Whilst the vaccine is bringing much needed hope and protection, until more is known about its impact on transmission, people in need of care and their carers should continue to adhere to all infection control measures that are in place now.

 

Visitors will be asked to continue to book appointments, take a test on the day of their visit to the care home, wear a mask throughout their visit, wash hands thoroughly on arrival, and limit close contact with residents. All staff, residents and visitors should be encouraged and supported to get the vaccine as soon as they are able.

I would like to express my thanks to you and to all your staff for your ongoing hard work.
Your dedication is hugely appreciated.

Yours sincerely,

HELEN WHATELY