Charlotte Shatwell

Welcoming New Residents Through Safe Admissions

We continue to welcome new residents to our home using our robust covid-secure admission process, whilst protecting those who already live with us and offering safe visiting opportunities.

We specialise in providing care to older people and as a small care home with 22 en-suite bedrooms our team really get to know all residents, understand their needs, and encourage social friendships amongst residents living at Farthings.

We have a robust admission process in place to enable us to offer a safe and compassionate start to living within our care home.

The government guidelines were amended on 4 April 2022 and as such we too have amended our processes inline with differing scenarios as follows:

A Pre-Planned Admission from a Care Facility or the Community

Discussions: will take place prior to any admission with the home’s Registered Manager, this may be with yourself or a loved one.  This is to gain an overview of your current care needs and requirements.

Assessment: if it is likely we would be able to meet your specific needs the Registered Manager will arrange a Pre-Admission Assessment.  This is to meet you, discuss what your needs are and how you would like to be cared for.  It will also enable us to give you and your loved ones more information about our home and the facilities we have available to you.  Ordinarily, dependant on circumstance, this would take place face-to-face but rest assured all of our staff are vaccinated, tested twice a week and would be wearing all the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for your safety.

Time: after initial discussions and assessments our prospective residents are given time to consider their decision, possibly alongside their loved ones.  Once a decision has been made please get in touch with the Registered Manager again who will work alongside you to arrange your admission at a time which is convenient to yourself, this could be the same day, in a couple of days or in a few weeks’ time, it is your choice.

Testing: we will provide a PCR coronavirus test which is to be completed within 72-hours before moving into the home (or a lateral flow test if have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 90 days).  A lateral flow test will need to be taken on the day of admission (day 0).

Moving In: you are welcome to bring any personal effects to help you feel at home.  All our rooms are en-suite, and are equipped with a bed, bedside table, chest of drawers, wardrobe, chair, and a television.  You are welcome to bring a named visitor with you to help you settle in, they must follow the current visiting guidance which will be discussed prior to admission.

Settling In: a full Care Plan will be developed with you; this will include all the information the staff need to ensure they care for you how you would like to be.  In addition, the Activities Co-ordinator will spend some time getting to know you and will arrange tailored activities for your interests.  You are welcome to have visitors in line with the visitor guidance.

A discharge from hospital or another Care Home

Discussions: will take place prior to any admission with the home’s Registered Manager, this may be with yourself, a loved one or a healthcare professional.  This is to gain an overview of your current care needs and requirements.

Assessment: if it is likely we would be able to meet your specific needs the Registered Manager will arrange a Pre-Admission Assessment.  This is to meet you, discuss what your needs are and how you would like to be cared for.  It will also enable us to give you and your loved ones more information about our home and the facilities we have available to you.  Ordinarily, dependant on circumstance, this would take place face-to-face but rest assured all of our staff are vaccinated, tested twice a week and would be wearing all the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for your safety.

Time: after initial discussions and assessments our prospective residents are given time to consider their decision, possibly alongside their loved ones.  Once a decision has been made, please get in touch with the Registered Manager again who will work alongside you to arrange your admission at a time which is convenient to yourself, this could be the same day, in a couple of days or in a few weeks’ time, it is your choice.

Testing: a PCR coronavirus test is to be completed within 48 hours prior to discharge (or a lateral flow test if the individual has tested positive for covid-19 in the last 90 days).  The result of this test should be shared with the Registered Manager at Farthings prior to discharge.

Moving In: you are welcome to bring any personal effects to help you feel at home.  All our rooms are en-suite, and are equipped with a bed, bedside table, chest of drawers, wardrobe, chair, and a television.  You are welcome to bring a named visitor with you to help you settle in, they must follow the current visiting guidance which will be discussed prior to admission.

Settling In: a full Care Plan will be developed with you; this will include all the information the staff need to ensure they care for you how you would like to be.  In addition, the Activities Co-ordinator will spend some time getting to know you and will arrange tailored activities for your interests.  You are welcome to have visitors in line with the visitor guidance.

Every admission is different and above outlines some key stages throughout the admission process, however they are adaptable for everyone’s individual situations.  A thorough risk assessment will be carried out prior to any admission and the requirements for admission will be fully explained beforehand.

If you are considering care for yourself or your loved one, please call our friendly team who will be more than willing to answer any questions you may have, 01777 838 219, alternatively you can email [email protected].

by Charlotte Shatwell

No Change to Healthcare Guidance

No change to healthcare guidance poster Feb 22

Whilst there are lots of changes outside of health and social care settings, inside health and social care settings....its NO change

In line with the Government Guidance at Farthings there is:

• No change to the 'Stay at Home' guidance; if a member of staff develops symptoms of Covid-19 or has a positive LFT they will continue to not attend work for 10 days (unless they have two consecutive negative LFTs 24-hours apart after day 5, their isolation may end before 10 days).  If a resident develops symptoms or has a positive test they will receive in-room care for 10 days (unless they have two consecutive negative LFTs 24-hours apart after day 5, their isolation may end before 10 days).  Visitors and visiting professionals are to continue their current testing arrangements, if they develop symptoms or receive a positive test they should not enter the home.

• Asymtomatic Testing; regular asymtomatic testing of both staff and residents will continue as per the Government Testing Guidance, currently the staff team will undertake a LFT before every shift and residents will be PCR tested monthly.  This enables us to quickly identify individuals who are likely to be highly infectious and enables them to stay away from work to reduce transmission and keep our residents safe.

by Charlotte Shatwell

Essential Care Givers

All Essential Care Giver visits MUST be pre-booked through our online booking system: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/

All residents are able to choose an ‘Essential Care Giver’.  This is someone who provides not only companionship but also additional care and support to their loved one.  Essential Care Giver’s can visit during periods of isolation or if there is an outbreak of coronavirus (providing the Essential Care Giver does not have covid-19).  As an Essential Care Giver you will be required to take frequent coronavirus tests and wear appropriate PPE.

The Essential Care Giver role is vitally important to supporting residents’ health and wellbeing.  Every resident at Farthings can choose an essential care giver to benefit from companionship and additional care and support provided by someone with whom they have a personal relationship.

Essential care givers must follow the same testing arrangements as staff, for both regular asymptomatic testing and in an outbreak situation.  Further information about testing regimes can be found in the care home testing guidance.

Essential care givers should read and follow the appropriate guidance for using PPE in the different care scenarios laid out in the guidance on how to work safely in care homes.  PPE recommendations are different depending on whether direct personal care or companionship is being provided.  More information on how to safely put on and remove PPE can be found in the guidance and visitors should also be encouraged to view the video demonstration.

Essential care givers will be supported by the staff at Farthings as they put on and take off PPE for the first few visits to ensure they are doing so correctly.  Essential care givers will also be briefed on the relevant IPC measures in place and the areas of Farthings they will have access to.  Essential care givers should remain at least one meter from staff and any other resident they may encounter.

If you wish to discuss the Essential Care Giver role further, or your loved one has nominated you to be their Essential Care Giver, please get in touch with Lynne Fardell-Wain (Registered Manager) on 01777 838219 or email [email protected]

by Charlotte Shatwell

Welcoming Residents Through Safe Admissions

WELCOMING NEW RESIDENTS THROUGH SAFE ADMISSIONS

(amended January 2022)

We continue to welcome new residents to our home using our robust covid-secure admission process, whilst protecting those who already live with us and offering safe visiting opportunities.  We specialise in providing care to older people and as a small care home with 22 en-suite bedrooms our team really get to know all residents, understand their needs, and encourage social friendships amongst residents living at Farthings.  We have a robust admission process in place to enable us to offer a safe and compassionate start to living within our care home.

The government guidelines were amended on 20 January 2022 and as such we too have amended our processes inline with differing scenarios as follows:

A Pre-Planned Admission from the Community

In order to follow this process the individual must satisfy the below requirements:

• Be fully vaccinated (plus 3 weeks wherever possible) – evidence will be required
• The local guidance from the Director of Public Health about community transmission of variants of concern is followed
• No known contact with a COVID-positive person or someone with covid-19 symptoms during the previous 14 days
• We will take into consideration the current circumstances at home in terms of risk
• An enhanced testing regime is followed, which consists of PCR prior to admission (within 72-hours), a PCR test on day of admission (day 0) and a further PCR test 7 days following admission (day 7) and daily rapid lateral flow testing (LFT) until the results of the day 7 PCR have been received (we will provide all tests)

Discussions: will take place prior to any admission with the home’s Registered Manager, this may be with yourself or a loved one.  This is to gain an overview of your current care needs and requirements.

Assessment: if it is likely we would be able to meet your specific needs the Registered Manager will arrange a Pre-Admission Assessment.  This is to meet you, discuss what your needs are and how you would like to be cared for.  It will also enable us to give you and your loved ones more information about our home and the facilities we have available to you.  Ordinarily, dependant on circumstance, this would take place face-to-face but rest assured all of our staff are vaccinated, tested three times per week and would be wearing all the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for your safety.

Time: after initial discussions and assessments our prospective residents are given time to consider their decision, possibly alongside their loved ones.  Once a decision has been made please get in touch with the Registered Manager again who will work alongside you to arrange your admission at a time which is convenient to yourself, this could be the same day, in a couple of days or in a few weeks’ time, it is your choice.

Testing: we will provide a PCR coronavirus test which is to be completed within 72-hours before moving into the home and returned a negative result.  A further PCR will be required on the admission day (day 0) and on day 7.  In addition, rapid lateral flow tests will be required daily until the results of the day 7 PCR has been received.

Moving In: you are welcome to bring any personal effects to help you feel at home.  All our rooms are en-suite, and are equipped with a bed, bedside table, chest of drawers, wardrobe, chair, and a television.  You are welcome to bring a named visitor with you to help you settle in, they must follow the current visiting guidance which will be discussed prior to admission.

Settling In: a full Care Plan will be developed with you; this will include all the information the staff need to ensure they care for you how you would like to be.  In addition, the Activities Co-ordinator will spend some time getting to know you and will arrange tailored activities for your interests.  You are welcome to have visitors in line with the visitor guidance.

An Admission from Hospital, an Interim Care Facility, another Care Home, an Emergency Community Admission or a Community Admission unable to satisfy the requirements detailed above

Discussions: will take place prior to any admission with the home’s Registered Manager, this may be with yourself, a loved one or a healthcare professional.  This is to gain an overview of your current care needs and requirements.

Assessment: if it is likely we would be able to meet your specific needs the Registered Manager will arrange a Pre-Admission Assessment.  This is to meet you, discuss what your needs are and how you would like to be cared for.  It will also enable us to give you and your loved ones more information about our home and the facilities we have available to you.  Ordinarily, dependant on circumstance, this would take place face-to-face but rest assured all of our staff are vaccinated, tested three times per week and would be wearing all the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for your safety.

Time: after initial discussions and assessments our prospective residents are given time to consider their decision, possibly alongside their loved ones.  Once a decision has been made, please get in touch with the Registered Manager again who will work alongside you to arrange your admission at a time which is convenient to yourself, this could be the same day, in a couple of days or in a few weeks’ time, it is your choice.

Testing: a PCR coronavirus test is to be completed within 48-72-hours before moving into the home and returned a negative result.  A further PCR will be required on the day of admission (day 0) and again 7 days following admission (day 7).  Daily rapid lateral flow testing (LFT) will take place until the day 7 PCR result has been received.

Moving In: you are welcome to bring any personal effects to help you feel at home.  All our rooms are en-suite, and are equipped with a bed, bedside table, chest of drawers, wardrobe, chair, and a television.  You are welcome to bring a named visitor with you to help you settle in, they must follow the current visiting guidance which will be discussed prior to admission.

Settling In: a full Care Plan will be developed with you; this will include all the information the staff need to ensure they care for you how you would like to be.  In addition, the Activities Co-ordinator will spend some time getting to know you and will arrange tailored activities for your interests.  You are welcome to have visitors in line with the visitor guidance.

Every admission is different and above outlines some key stages throughout the admission process, however they are adaptable for everyone’s individual situations.  A thorough risk assessment will be carried out prior to any admission and the requirements for admission will be fully explained beforehand.

If you are considering care for yourself or your loved one, please call our friendly team who will be more than willing to answer any questions you may have, 01777 838 219

alternatively you can email [email protected].

by Charlotte Shatwell

Visitor Guidance

All visits MUST be pre-booked through our online booking system: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/

Bedroom, Marquee & Garden Visits

• Every resident can nominate three ‘named visitors’ who will be able to enter the care home for regular visits (up to 2 at a time).
  • Names, addresses and phone numbers of the named visitors must be given to the Registered Manager prior to any visits taking place.
• A visitor questionnaire is to be completed before coming into the Home and the visit must not take place if the visitor has:
  • any coronavirus symptoms; high temperature, cough or loss of taste or smell
  • been in contact with someone who is covid positive
  • been instructed to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace
• A Coronavirus Lateral Flow Test (LFT) must have been conducted on the day of the visit. These can be provided and taken at Farthings or can be taken home to conduct prior to visiting.
  • It is a legal requirement for LFT’s to be logged on the government website https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result utilising Farthings Unique Organisation Number (UON) 10122059 and evidence of negative result MUST be seen prior to entry to the Home.
• Full PPE MUST be worn at all times throughout the visit, this includes, IIR facemask, apron and gloves all of which will be provided.
• The visitor will be escorted to the marquee or residents bedroom.
• Visitors are politely requested to maintain strict social distancing from other residents, visitors and staff at all times.
• Staff will return to escort visitors out of the Home at the end of the visiting time or visitors can press the residents call bell to request to be escorted out.

Gate, Window, Garden & Virtual Visits

• Additional friends and family are able to have gate, garden, window or virtual visits but they must still be booked via the above booking link
• The resident will be ready waiting for the visit to take place at the booked time
• A face covering must still be worn if conducting a gate visit along with full PPE if having a garden visit and strict social distancing must still be adhered to
• During a window visit the window must remain closed
• Virtual visits will be supported by a member of staff if required

Visits Outside of the Home

• Any visits being conducted outside of Farthings MUST be discussed with the Registered Manager beforehand, this is to enable a Risk Assessment to be carried out and to establish whether any isolation will be required upon return to the Home.

by Charlotte Shatwell