Following the Prime Minister’s announcement last week about the easing of lockdown measures, Kirklees care homes can start welcoming back visitors.
Throughout lockdown, care home residents have isolated from their loved ones. Staff had to keep residents in touch with loved ones through digital technology and window visits.
Now, from next week, visitors can visit loved ones inside care homes. The Government guidance states that care home residents can have one designated person visit them inside from 8 March onwards.
Visitors must book by appointment in order to visit. They will also have to follow strict safety rules. Visitors will go through infection prevention control procedures before they visit and afterwards too. Additionally, visitors will need to proved evidence of a negative test result before they can visit and will be subject to a further test upon arrival.
“Another step in the road to recovery”
Councillor Musarrat Khan, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care said: “I am delighted that we can start to facilitate visits to residents in our care homes as lockdown restrictions ease.
“Staff have worked incredibly hard to keep our elderly and vulnerable care home residents safe and well during the pandemic. Family members have been unable to see loved ones like they used to, and we recognise the mental health impact this has had.
“Resuming face-to-face visits will be a boost for the mental wellbeing of our care home residents and another step in the road to recovery from COVID.”
Claremont House and Castle Grange Dementia Homes
Residents of Heckmondwike’s Claremont House and Newsome’s Castle Grange will be able to have up to two visitors.
This is enabled by newly installed ‘Wellbeing Pods’, which provide a safe space to visit loved ones.
To visit a loved one people should contact the care homes directly. In the event of an outbreak,
Anyone wishing to visit their loved one should contact the care home directly to make arrangements. No visits will take place in the event of an outbreak.
New Wellbeing Pod at Castle Grange in Newsome, Huddersfield
