An update about COVID-19
Following the recent government announcement on how the third national lockdown restrictions will begin to lift, we thought now would be an ideal time to update you on the measures and guidance regarding COVID-19 at Aspire Wellbeing.
We will update this page with any new developments, so please check regularly for our up to date response to COVID-19.
First of all, the safety and wellbeing of our staff team and the people we support continues to be our priority during these difficult times. We work with all our workplaces to ensure that there are procedures in place to minimise the risk of COVID-19. We will continue to follow the guidance and advice issued by the Government, Public Health England and other relevant authorities. As this guidance changes, we will update and adapt our policies in line with these regulations.
Throughout the pandemic, our staff have been highly trained and well supported to ensure that our care settings are safe. All our homes and services follow the Government guidelines regarding PPE, infection control and hygiene protocols. Staff and residents continue to be regularly tested to ensure they live and work in a safe environment. Additionally, we have an up to date COVID-19 risk assessment to help manage risk and protect staff and the people we support.
We have decided to continue with new admissions in our residential homes and supported living facilities where it has been possible to do so. It remains our priority to ensure that new and existing residents are protected from the risk of infection.
COVID-19 Vaccine
There is great progress being made regarding the COVID-19 vaccine rollout across the country and it remains the best way to protect people from COVID-19. We have worked to the national standards and guidance regarding vaccinations to ensure we can get people vaccinated as early as possible.
We are pleased to announce that many of our colleagues and the people we care for have now begun the vaccination process and we will continue until everyone is offered one. Aspire encourages everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to them, unless there is a medical reason for them not to. We believe it is vitally important for our staff to be vaccinated in order to protect themselves, their loved ones and those in their care.
Visitor Guidance for our Care Homes
We are aware that it has been a difficult year for everyone and that visits are incredibly important for the wellbeing of our service users and their families. Therefore, we are delighted with the recent Government announcement of the single named visitor scheme. From Monday 8th March, residents at Applegarth and our other residential homes can have indoor visits by a consistent named visitor. The Department of Health and Social Care have detailed guidance to implement visits in a safe manner. However, here are some of the key points:
- The nominated visitor will remain the only visitor while this current guidance is in place
- In exceptional circumstances, it may be possible to allow more than one named visitor
- Home testing of single, named visitors will not be accepted as a valid form of testing to visit
- Visits will happen alongside COVID-19 safety precautions such as appropriate PPE and lateral flow tests
- Handholding will be allowed but we ask visitors to avoid closer contact
- The rules and guidance on residents visiting outside of the home will remain unchanged at this stage
- The vaccination is not mandatory to be a nominated visitor
We encourage you to get in touch with the Registered Manager directly for any queries, as our homes may have different rules regarding visits.
Our visiting guidance remains cautious and will be evaluated on an individual basis in order to protect the safety of our residents and staff. Therefore, visits can only take place if it is considered safe. Similarly, if there is an outbreak at one of our homes, visits will be temporarily suspended.
Updated GOV.uk Guidance
Below are some links to the important Government guidance we are following at Aspire Wellbeing: