Latest Update

8th February 2022

In line with recent Government guidelines, we are no longer limiting the number of visitors who may visit regularly. Other safety measures as detailed below will remain in place.

Testing requirements – Visitors must still have a negative lateral flow test result and report it on the day of their visit, either by conducting the test at home or when they arrive at the care home. Staff testing will remain at once weekly PCR test but the guidance increases lateral flow testing from twice weekly to three times weekly. As an interim measure until January 7th, Oakland Care have taken the decision to exceed this guideline and as a result ALL staff will complete a lateral flow test before attending work EVERY DAY that they are on duty as well as take their weekly PCR test.

Visits outside of the Care Home – Outside visits will continue to be facilitated using a risk assessment to reduce risk where possible. Wherever possible, outside visits should include mixing with people who are known to be fully vaccinated and boosted. 14 days isolation for unvaccinated residents on return from activities outside of the care home will apply (unless exempt from vaccination).

Changes to isolation of household contacts – Anyone who is fully vaccinated, and has been identified as a close contact of a confirmed case of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, does not need to self-isolate once they receive a negative PCR test result and take daily rapid lateral flow tests until 10 days after their last exposure to the positive case. However, visitors who are not legally required to self-isolate are advised against visiting the care home (for 10 days) if they have been identified as a close contact of someone with coronavirus, unless absolutely necessary, even if they have been fully vaccinated. Where visits do occur, visitors should have received a negative PCR test result prior to their visit, and a negative lateral flow test result earlier in the day of their visit.

We continue to accept new move-ins and have developed safe visiting for those designated visitors, so that relatives can maintain face to face contact with our residents as we realise how important this is. Masks will continue to be needed to be worn and social distancing must still be observed. The duration of visits will not change as we are able to follow safe visiting practices.

Visits for residents receiving end of life care have always been accommodated by Oakland Care and this will continue even in the event of an outbreak.

In the unfortunate event of an outbreak the care homes will continue to follow the direct advice of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) – formally Public Health England. During an outbreak it is usually still possible to have visits using our internal visiting rooms.

The safety and welfare of our residents, staff & visitors remains our highest priority and we are confident that we are doing everything needed to facilitate visiting as safely as practicable.

If you have any questions, please speak to the relevant Home Manager and we wish you all a happy and safe Christmas.