Health and social care staff continue to provide essential support to care home residents across Lanarkshire.
Phone or Near Me video consultations are carried out wherever possible, however staff continue to carry out essential care visits including:
- Adult support and protection
- End of life care
- Urgent/acute treatment
- Consultations to prevent physical/mental deterioration
One of Lanarkshire’s most vulnerable groups, it is vital that care home residents continue to receive care where needed from health and social care staff.
Trudi Marshall, nurse director, Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire (HSCNL), said: “Care home residents are a vulnerable group so it is imperative our staff continue to visit in order to provide appropriate care where required.
“I’ve never been prouder of the commitment, compassion, flexibility and care our staff – and care home staff – have shown and their drive to continue to deliver services really is inspiring.
“It is critical that we continue to aid care home staff in ensuring residents maintain a good standard of life mentally and physically while also doing all we can to make a person’s end of life care as comfortable as possible.
“Throughout the pandemic care home staff have provided an excellent, and tireless, service for their residents and it’s only right that we augment this care. It’s also key that we support care home staff to ensure their health and wellbeing is looked after.”
Lesley Thomson, nurse director, South Lanarkshire Health & Social Care Partnership (SLHSCP), added: “Since this pandemic emerged our staff have been nothing short of exceptional. They have risen to every challenge they’ve faced.
“Make no mistake; our staff are providing vital support to some of our most vulnerable residents.
“In the vast majority of cases the families of care home residents have been very appreciative towards those who provide health and social care services and I would like to thank them for their ongoing support and understanding.
“It is an incredibly difficult time for families and it can be frustrating to see health and social care staff enter care homes while indoor visiting is still restricted.
“It is however vital to ensure all care home resident have access to the health and social care they need. Sometimes this can only be provided from specialist services visiting the care homes.”
All essential visits by staff are carried out in line with national guidance on hand hygiene and appropriate use of PPE. Where possible staff adhere to two metres distancing, however it is recognised that this may not be suitable given the nature of an essential visit.
The public can visit a care home resident indoors where the visit is deemed to be essential. This is where it is imperative that a person is supported to see their loved one in specific circumstances. Where a loved one may be nearing the end of life or where a resident is experiencing signs of stress/ distress then a visit from a relative or friend may help to ease this distress. Essential visits can continue to be accessed through discussion with the care home managers.
