THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 30 | PAGE 3
Pilot Testing Scheme for Safer Care Home Visits Launched (...CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER) "By respecting social distancing and staying at home as much as possible we will help reunite families and friends with loved ones in care homes as quickly as possible. "We will be encouraging and supporting care homes to facilitate visits to go ahead in a COVID-secure way wherever possible." Minister for Care Helen Whately said: "The pandemic has torn many lives apart but few have been more affected than people living in care homes and their families. I know visits from loved ones are what makes life worth living for many care home residents, yet these have been few and far between over the last few months. "Visits with a screen or window are better than nothing for many, but they are too confusing or simply impossible for people with advanced dementia. "That’s why on Monday we are starting visitor testing, firstly in around 20 care homes across Hampshire, Cornwall and Devon. Each resident will be able to have one relative or friend who can be their ‘key visitor’ who will take a COVID test, and then be able to come for an indoor visit without a screen. "COVID is a cruel disease that takes those who are most vulnerable, particularly older people, and it’s hard to stop it spreading in people’s homes, whether that’s a family home or even in a care home. That’s why
there have had to be restrictions on visiting, but also why we are putting care home visitors front of the queue as we bring more tests on stream. "As Christmas approaches, I want to bring an end to the pain of separation and help care homes bring families and loved ones together. The launch of visitor testing is a crucial step to making that happen. "The pilot, which forms part of plans to roll out mass testing technology across the country, has been made possible thanks to a huge expansion in the country’s testing capacity, which currently stands at over 500,000 per day. "Each care home receiving LFTs will receive a box of 675 initially and will be given access to more as required. "It will take place in local authorities with lower transmission rates to ensure it can be done as safely as possible and care staff are being trained to ensure tests are administered safely and accurately. "It will further develop the evidence base for how testing with fast, reliable COVID-19 tests can be delivered at scale. "If successful, care home testing will be rolled out in a phased way across the country. "Any decision on a national roll-out will be taken in light of the latest available data on transmission rates as a result of national COVID-19 restrictions." Care providers have welcomed the announcement promising that care and nursing home residents will be able to enjoy visits from their
loved ones before Christmas. But they have urged the Government to ditch the pilot scheme and urgently introduce visitor testing at all homes straight away. The Independent Care Group (ICG) said it was welcome news for all care providers. ICG Chair Mike Padgham said: "Separating care and nursing home residents from their loved ones for a prolonged period has been one of the most distressing aspects of the coronavirus pandemic and has been very damaging for both parties' mental health and wellbeing. "Providers are very keen to enable visiting again but of course want to do so in the safest way possible for the residents, families and staff at the homes. "Our pleasure at this pledge is only tempered by the fact that we have had Government promises before and they have failed to materialise. "We question whether we need to have the pilot programme - which has only just started at 20 homes. By the time that pilot has been completed and the results considered we will be getting perilously close to Christmas. Our advice would be to press ahead with getting testing kits and training out to the homes as soon as possible and not delay any further.”
Betty Moves Into Husband Kens Care Home Because She ‘Couldn’t Live Without Him’ To be separated after over 70 years of devoted marriage is a distressing blow. When 96-year-old Kenneth Meredith needed to move into a care home, he left behind the person who had been by his side for that lifetime, his dedicated wife, Betty. Current restrictions made it difficult for the couple to see each other, and so 91-year-old Betty decided to act. She hatched a plan with the super caring staff at Bourn View Care Home in Bournville, Birmingham, and moved in without telling Kenneth! There have been few secrets between the couple in all the decades, but Betty knew this would bring their life back together, and maintain part of their vows, to have and to hold each other. Everyone was in on the plan, and Betty’s phone calls to Kenneth were actually from her room in the care home where she was isolating, awaiting a negative Covid-19 test result that meant she could join the home’s ‘bubble’. The amazing staff at the home worked with family members to
arrange a surprise and romantic reunion meal for the loved-up pair in the home’s restaurant, complete with red roses, scattered petals and an array of love heart balloons. The moment Kenneth spotted Betty, he sped towards her in delight for an emotional hug. “Have you come to get me?” Kenneth said. “No” replied Betty, “I’ve moved in! It’s you and me, are you happy? All these kind people have done all this for us.” Bourn View Well-being and Activities Co-ordinator, Rosie Boshell, said, “When I heard Betty was moving in and her family had asked for a video of their reunion, I wanted to make it extra special for them, decorating our restaurant and arranging a romantic meal. It was so emotional and heart-warming to see; everyone was in tears of happiness and joy for them!”