Indoor visiting of Lanarkshire’s care home residents by relatives, friends and carers is set to resume this week.
Care homes will support residents to have up to two separate designated visitors once a week.
The move follows the Scottish Government guidance ‘Open with Care’ which supports the reintroduction of meaningful family contact in care homes, in a safer and managed way.
The wide range of protections now in place against COVID-19 for care home residents has led to the decision that meaningful contact should be made easier for the wellbeing of residents and their loved ones.
Initially care homes will be asked to introduce to meaningful contact by supporting up to two designated visitors per resident, once per week. Care homes will work with residents and visitors to agree the duration of visits in the early stages.
At this stage, children under the age of 16 should only be classed as a designated visitor for indoor contact under exceptional circumstance.
Designated visitors will need to wear a fluid-resistant surgical mask, which should be provided by the home, and wear any additional PPE requested by the care home. Visitors will also be strongly encouraged to take a COVID test on-site.
Visiting at some homes may still be restricted, primarily in the event of an outbreak at a care home.
Gabe Docherty, director of Public Health, NHS Lanarkshire said: “The ‘Open with Care’ guidance from the Scottish Government is very welcome.
“It is a huge boost to care home residents and their loved ones and means they can spend quality time together indoors.
“We absolutely understand how important meaningful family contact is and we are keen that indoor visits are reinstated from early March.
“It has always been our focus to reinstate visiting as soon as there was evidence that the risks of doing so were greatly reduced. So I warmly welcome the approach – and all that it means for care home residents, their families and care home staff.
“Its vital people remember that every time someone goes into a care home it is a COVID risk. But we are acutely conscious that continued restriction of contact for residents with relatives can contribute to loneliness and isolation and worsening physical and mental health.
“In the face of all the difficulties around visiting, what has been very clear throughout this pandemic is the unstinting dedication of care home staff to support continued contact between residents and their loved ones.
“We must build on this excellent work. It is essential that we all remain vigilant about the risks and not become complacent, however the multiple layers of protection now in place mean the balance is in favour of allowing visits.
“Everyone, including visitors, has a responsibility to ensure that visits take place as safely as possible by continuing to follow safety advice and not visiting a care home if they have any COVID symptoms.
“Ultimately, everyone living in adult care homes, no matter their age, health, or otherwise, should now be supported to have meaningful contact with their families and loved ones.
“It is essential that all care home visitors continue to follow FACTS guidance as closely as possible.
“This means continuing to wear appropriate PPE, keeping a two metre distance where possible and cleaning hands regularly. These are all vital steps in preventing transmission.
“Following FACTS remains the most effective way of preventing COVID-19 transmission in care homes.”
