Visitors Charter

Abbey Healthcare fully appreciates the need for resident and family visits and is eager to facilitate this. However, this needs to be within Government guidelines and ensuring that residents and staff are protected and safe

The following guidance must be adhered to by any relative or family member wishing to visit a resident at the care home

• • No visiting will be permitted if you are displaying any COVID-19 symptoms (or anyone in your household or ‘bubble’ is displaying symptoms or tested positive within the last 14 days)
  • Visitors must supply to the home evidence by means of a txt or email, of a Lateral Flow Device Test or a PCR test within the last 24 hours on each visit.
  • If evidence cannot be provided then a test, at the discretion of the person in charge can be taken, this may take up to 30 minutes and the visits cannot take place until the teat has been completed and negative result. People who have recovered from COVID will be asked to show evidence of their last positive PCR. They do not need to get tested again within 90 days of their positive PCR.
  • In the event of a positive LFD test the visit will not be allowed to go ahead, the visitor will be asked to immediately take a confirmatory PCR test on site and advised they must isolate and go home immediately, avoiding public transport and wearing a mask
  • Visiting times and bookings will be down to the homes individual policy of which your home manager will advise
  • Where possible, please walk or use your own transport to visit your loved one. Please whenever possible avoid using public transport.
  • If you use Public Transport, you must comply fully with the wearing of a Face Covering
  • Drinks by the home at this stage will not be provide but you may bring your own refreshments
  • The use of the home facilities i.e., the toilet will be at the discretion of the home
  • Where available, you may be asked to use an alternative entrance designated for family members only (this will be dependent on the home).
  • Before the visit you will be sent a copy of this Charter to digest, sign and return.
  • Visitors are, unlimited but no more than 2 persons at time and children are discouraged for visiting for long periods and must always been accompanied by an adult if under 16.
  • There will be hand sanitising gel in the visit area which you must use on arriving and leaving
  • Social distancing principles are still be applied – when in the garden you must also be a physical distance of two metres (six feet) from residents and staff)
  • Visitors should keep personal interaction with the resident to a minimum, for example avoid skin-to-skin contact (handshake, hug) and follow the latest social-distancing advice including wearing of required PPE for as much of the visit as possible
  • ALL Visitors will be REQUIRED to wear a Type IIR medical grade face mask throughout the duration of the visit and you may be asked to wear additional personal protective equipment (PPE) including apron and gloves.
  • Visitors under the age of 18 are permitted but please inform staff of the visit
  • It is not a condition of visiting that the visitor or resident should have been vaccinated. However, it is strongly recommended that all visitors and residents take up the opportunity to be vaccinated when they are invited to do so through the national program
  • Visitors are asked not to bring any of their own personal items with them and not to share any personal items such as mobile phones
  • If you wish to bring in a gift you will need to be advised that it will need to be something that can be easily cleaned by the care home to prevent cross-contamination. This must be handed to the staff member on arrival and not given direct to the Resident
  • Unfortunately, due to some physical or mental health conditions the type of visits may be restricted, and the home manager will discuss this with you.
  • Wearing of PPE is still in operation and mandatory
  • Abbey Healthcare supports and advises the use of masks in all public areas

Please note anyone found to have not followed the conditions of visiting as set out above will be asked to leave the premises not be allowed any further visits to the home. These procedures are in place to ensure the safety of everyone – Residents, Staff and Visitors and must be strictly adhered to.

Thank you for your understanding.