Families reunited at care homes as visits restart

Care homes across the district have been welcoming back families for visits following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.
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Staff and residents at Walberton Place Care Home in Walberton welcomed back visitors to the home last week.

Home manager Avallon McCormack said: “We are extremely pleased to be able to open our doors again, families are as much a part of our home as our residents.

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“It’s been very emotional to see residents’ faces light up as they see family members after so long.

A visit at Walberton Place Care HomeA visit at Walberton Place Care Home
A visit at Walberton Place Care Home

“We know how important it is for our residents to see loved ones and this is a real boost for everyone.”

Walberton Place is asking families to comply with stringent health and safety measures to keep people safe, and has put together comprehensive information for visitors to help them understand the new procedures and feel at ease when they visit.

All visitors will be required to wear a face masks for garden visits and full PPE for indoor visits, while every visitor is required to pass through a thermal imaging machine to check their temperature on arrival.

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Operations director Helen Richmond said: “All Country Court care and nursing homes remain Covid-19 free at this time and all of the measures we have implemented for these visits are designed to keep it that way.

“These visits have been able to happen because of the hard work of all our homes to keep residents safe and it has been amazing to see how much it means to everyone.”

Meanwhile two Bupa care comes in East Wittering and Midhurst have been creative in reuniting residents with family and set up outdoor visits in line with social distancing guidelines, to ensure people can see loved ones face-to-face, while still ensuring resident’s safety.

Church Farm and Pendean House care homes have put up large gazebos and screens have also been installed to allow families to safely and comfortably meet outside, while strict infection control guidelines are being followed, including use of PPE by staff.

Visits are currently limited to one guest per resident.

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Rebecca Pearson, operations director at the Bupa homes, said: “The lockdown has posed challenges for us all, but particularly for the care home sector.

“Our residents are among the most vulnerable to the virus so we’ve been working really hard to keep them safe.

“At the same time, we know the importance of family connection and the joy it brings to see loved ones in person.

“That’s why we’re all so pleased to commence these outdoor visits.

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“The responses have been heart-warming and have been appreciated by residents and relatives alike.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone at the homes, not only for making these visits possible, but for their hard work over the past few months to keep residents safe and well.”

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