Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock has written a monthly update to the adult social care sector social care staff to share his thoughts on the social care hot topics which matter most.
22.07.21
With the national easing of restrictions around COVID 19 infection, prevention and control measures – the following is the position which The Chiswick Nursing Centre will adopt from 19th July 2021 onwards:
Quite simply – and because each of the residents whom we care for is in themselves a frail and vulnerable adult, there will be very little change from the current pre 19/7/21 position. Regardless of what National Guidance is issued to those living within the community may imply, and in line with(and in addition to in some respects) whatever the national guidance regarding Care homes may imply:
You can find our full Visiting Policy here
For your reassurance:
Staff and Residents will remain subject to the current and usual covid test regime.
Staff – Weekly PCR and daily LFT test. This is above the National guidance requirement but we prefer to verge on the side of safety whilst infection rates are so high in London
Residents – 28 day testing regime.
Naturally, my team will contact the Next of Kin / family or friends of any resident who tests positive in the coming weeks and months. We continue to work to the requirements issued by Public Health England in regards to any positive test results received for either staff or residents.
There is an expectation that there will be some degree of positive test cases at The Chiswick – given the significantly high numbers of infections across the London area. My teams have all been made aware of the requirements for Infection Prevention and Control measures to remain a high priority and they will, naturally, follow the latest guidance and in house rules. We have stringent isolation, and associated policies and processes following any positive test result.
Vaccination requirement for staff:
We have good levels (above national average) of vaccination coverage amongst both Staff and Resident cohorts at The Chiswick.
The recently agreed and issued Government regulations requiring all care home staff to be vaccinated are welcomed by The Chiswick and we are already working to ensure that we achieve the 100% compliance required by the deadlines set.
To that end:
You may be aware that the Windsor Suite was recently set into internal ‘lockdown’ following discovery of a positive test on one resident.
I am pleased to confirm that the resident in question remains well in themselves and has now completed their isolation period. It was our intention to re-open the suite to visitors from Tuesday 20th July. However – there is now a test resulting that indicates a further positive case on the suite, and to that end and for the safety of all residents and staff on the suite and across The Chiswick – we have had to retain internal lockdown status until Monday Aug 2nd 2021.
The Windsor suite will reopen to visitors from 10am on Monday August 2nd 2021. Please book your test slot in the normal way if you wish to visit this suite / residents living there.
We will continue to monitor all residents for suspected symptoms and will deploy LFT tests as and when required as our first line of identification of issues or problems. We continue to have positive and robust arrangements in place with our GPs, hospital liaison and NHS colleagues for any eventuality. Our isolation processes for new admission residents remain in line with national guidance.
Finally
I am also advised that reported cases of Norovirus across the London area are 10 times higher this week than at any point in the past 5 years! (540 cases Vs 54 average across the past 5 years).
Your personal attention to good hand hygiene, other infection prevention and control measures etc. will assist The Chiswick in ensuring that this equally devastating disease and its implications for frail and vulnerable adults.
I hope that as July and August progresses – we can bring you some better news on these matters – we will base all of our future guidance and information broadcasts on the fast and ever changing national situation.
If you have any queries or concerns regards your own / family situation and the services at The Chiswick – please do not hesitate to contact me directly: Steve.winter@chiswicknursingcentre.co.uk
Steve Winter
Centre Director