Care home residents in England will be allowed just three visitors from today (Wednesday) to slow the spread of Omicron.
Care home residents in England will be allowed just three visitors from today (Wednesday) to slow the spread of Omicron.
The new guidance will also require staff to take three lateral flow tests each week, as well as a weekly PCR test.
Vaccination teams are also being deployed to give residents and staff booster jabs. The Department of Health has said the new measures are to "balance the current Covid-19 risk and the need to keep people safe". Bernadette Mossman, Healthcare Director at Harrogate-based Vida Healthcare, believes the new measures are necessary in preventing the impact of the new covid variant. She told Your Harrogate:"I feel it’s necessary and I’m very supportive of it. I feel we’re still working a bit in the dark when it comes to understanding the impact of the Omicron variant and I don’t think we should be acting in any other way than cautiously.Fully vaccinated residents visiting family and friends outside the care home will be asked to take a lateral flow test on alternate days for two weeks after each outing. Those not vaccinated will have to isolate following an outside visit. And speaking about Christmas at Vida's care homes, of which there are three in Harrogate, Bernadette said that residents can still engage with the festivities and celebrate:"The last few years has been so challenging that the last thing we want to do is take a massive back step.
"Thinking ahead and thinking in a way that allows people to plan in advance I think is the safest way for everyone."
'Plan B' to slow the spread of Omicron"We can celebrate outside of the home. Our care homes are designed in such a way that our residents can still see what is happening and still hear the joy and happiness that we can create around them.
"We’ve had school choirs standing outside singing their hearts out to our residents, and entertainers in a safe and socially distanced way that allows our residents and their families to engage and celebrate the festivities of Christmas."
The government have announced that an extra £300m will be made available to recruit and retain care workers.
It all comes as cases of the Omicron variant have been doubling every two to three days. Sajid Javid, Health and Social Care Secretary, said:"We know that, sadly, people in care homes and those who receive domiciliary care are more likely to suffer serious health consequences if they get COVID-19. "We are increasing the frequency of staff testing and, with a heavy heart, we must restrict every resident to just three nominated visitors – not including their essential care giver. "This is a difficult step, and I understand that it comes with an impact on physical and mental wellbeing. "But we know that from previous waves that it’s one of the most effective things we can do to protect vulnerable residents."Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.
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