Following the Government decision to place parts of the South East and London into Tier 4, we have reviewed our approach to visits.

We would encourage visitors to re-consider their plans to visit our services at this present time. The Government has stipulated, only essential travel is to take place and you should not travel between the tiers.

‘Safe’ indoor visits can be arranged in line with Government Tier 4 Guidelines and if essential. Visits may take place in garden areas, visitor rooms with screens, window visits and virtually. When residents are at the end of their life or very unwell, we will risk assess and facilitate bedroom visits. All visits will need to be booked with the home and limited to 30 minutes in most cases. All infection control measures will remain, i.e. temperature checks, disinfection of footwear, hand washing and wearing of appropriate PPE. Visiting areas will be deep cleaned in between visits. Wherever possible, visits should be in a visiting area, therefore every effort will be made to support residents into these areas.

Where residents/service users were going home to their families for Christmas, we would discourage this as due to the Tier 4 restrictions it is now against the law. Residents/service users returning, must have received a negative Covid-19 test and will be cared for in isolation for up to 14 days.

We realise that Christmas this year is going to be very different to any before. However, we are reassured that with the safe measures in place in our services, we hope that everyone is able to enjoy the festive season.