Maria Mallaband and Countrywide Coronavirus Update
Maria Mallaband and Countrywide – keeping our residents safe and connected during Covid-19.
As our teams continue working to keep our residents safe and connected throughout Covid-19, we’re regularly adapting our guidance for visitors in-line with advice from both the government and the Department of Health.
The mental health and well-being of the people living in our homes is paramount, therefore we feel it is important when safe to accommodate visits for friends and family. This included essential healthcare professional visits. Therefore we’re continuing to welcome visitors on a restricted basis, although this is now limited to one designated or ‘constant’ visitor per resident.
By limiting the number of visitors to one ‘constant’ visitor per resident, we’re able to ensure people maintain their crucial connection with a loved one, whilst at the same time adhering to guidance from the Department of Health that will minimise risk of infection from an outside source.
Under certain circumstances, we are able to welcome an ‘alternative’ visitor, for example:
- When someone is visiting from afar.
- When a family member is terminally ill.
In both cases, advanced notice of the visit would be required, as would a detailed risk assessment.
As you might expect, all visits will continue to be by appointment-only with the Home Manager, and will be agreed on an individual home-by-home basis. We are thankful to all visitors for taking the usual safety precautions, including wearing a mask in communal spaces and washing hands regularly.
Regrettably, anyone visiting the home without prior agreement will be refused admission. Our home managers have also been asked not to admit anyone displaying symptoms of Covid-19, and we ask you to cooperate with them in this regard.
Health professionals will continue adhering to all safety measures during essential visits, although visits from the community and from external entertainers remain on hold. This includes delaying non-essential maintenance works.
All homes have been issued a dedicated resident ipad. This is extremely important for those who are unable to visit and for additional contact, communication with loved ones via Skype and social media is available in all our homes. We are happy to support and advise where needed to enable family members and friends to stay in contact, please speak to us if assistance is required.
Our homes remain open to new admissions as usual and we are following the current guidelines issued from the public health authorities to ensure the wellbeing of all. It is important we continue to support the healthcare system and individuals who require a safe care environment.
Last but by no means least… we’d like to say a heartfelt thank you for your understanding and co-operation throughout recent months and in anticipation of the months ahead. The response from you and our local communities has been truly overwhelming.
We will continue to keep this policy under review and provide updates as appropriate. Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions.
October 2020