Charlotte Shatwell

Important reminders from NHS Test and Trace

Accessing regular rapid lateral flow tests

Anyone can now get regular rapid lateral flow tests (LFT) without having symptoms.  Rapid lateral tests from the universal testing offer can be ordered through:

Order coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow tests - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

About 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 do not have symptoms but can still infect others, this is why universal testing is so important.

Please continue to test regardless of the vaccine

It is vitally important that you continue to test regardless of whether you have had the vaccine or not.  While the approved vaccines provide protection to a vaccinated person from becoming seriously ill from COVID-19, we do not yet know if they prevent someone from passing on the virus to others.  You can still carry the virus on your body and clothes if you come into contact with it.

Everyone must continue to follow guidance, including wearing the correct personal protection equipment (PPE) and undertake regular testing to continue to protect themselves, the people we care for, your family, friends and colleagues.

by 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.

• 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.
• Testing: we will provide a coronavirus test which is to be completed two days before moving into the home and returned a negative result.
• 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 will receive 14-days of in-room care from 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 will receive another coronavirus test around 10 days after admission.  Once you have received in-room care for 14-days and received a negative coronavirus test result you will be able to meet the rest of the Farthings family and explore the home.

Here are some commonly asked questions recently regarding admissions:

If I have had a coronavirus test which is negative and have had the vaccine, do I still need to have in-room care for 14-days from admission?

Yes – The current Government Guidance (amended 17.05.21) states that to minimise the risk to residents in care homes during periods of sustained community transmission, all residents being discharged from hospital, or interim care facilities to the care home, and new residents admitted from the community, should be isolated for 14-days within their own room.  A 14-day period of isolation is recommended for residents in care homes as older care home residents are particularly vulnerable group and their immune response may differ from younger, normally healthier individuals.  Furthermore, the guidance advises even with a confirmed covid-19 negative status, from a test taken less than 2 days prior to admission, a 14-day period of isolation is still recommended, particularly in care homes for older residents.

I’m worried if I’m in my room for 14-days that I will be lonely and in a strange environment.

Please be assured you will receive plenty of visits from staff throughout the day, this is a great opportunity to get to know the team on a one-to-one basis.  You will be able to take part in some activities in your room, painting, drawing, jigsaws, reading etc.  There is also wi-fi throughout the home so, with the support of staff if needed, you will be able to facetime loved ones, play games or music on the iPad as well as reading the news or even doing some online shopping!  All rooms have a call-bell for calling assistance at any time of day or night.

I really like being outside in the garden and worry about being inside for the first 14-days.

We have some ‘courtyard’ rooms with direct access to the gardens, you will be able to go outside as you will not pass-through communal areas.

If my coronavirus test is positive, will I still be able to move in as planned?

No, we would ask you to complete your 14-day isolation in your current location before moving into the home when you will then receive in-room care for 14-days.

Will I receive routine coronavirus testing whilst living at Farthings?

Yes, currently all residents are tested every 28-days in line with Government guidance.  Furthermore, all staff are tested three times per week.

Can I still have my coronavirus vaccine?

Yes, we have exceptional links with our local healthcare professionals, the roving team will visit the home to administer covid vaccines, whether that be a first or second vaccine.  We are also proud to advise 100% of all staff and residents have received their first vaccine, with over 80% also having received their second.

Am I able to still see my loved ones?

Absolutely!  We have several visiting options; each resident is able to identify five named nominated visitors of whom can visit the resident (max two at a time) in their own bedroom.  Visits can also take place in our gardens, inside our visiting marquee, gate visits, window visits and of course virtual and telephone visits too.

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

Covid safe visiting solutions are available for our residents and their loved ones

We are delighted to welcome relatives and friends back to Farthings to be reunited with their loved ones.

At Farthings we have many ways in which loved ones can remain in touch:

• Marquee Visit – a face to face visit with your loved one, currently the National Government Guidance allows two nominated individuals to see a resident face to face. We require a negative LFT coronavirus test prior to coming into the home and visitors are required to wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, all are provided on arrival.
• Gate Visit – we have a gate to our rear garden and welcome visitors to meet their relatives socially distant ‘over the gate’. A face covering should be worn whilst undertaking a gate visit.
• Window Visit – residents with external rooms can have a window visit at their bedroom should they wish. Alternatively, window visits can take place from our small sitting area on the front of the home.  Many of our residents talk to their loved ones on the telephone whilst having a window visit.
• Virtual Visit – residents are welcome to utilise the homes iPads to have a video call with their loved ones, the staff team will support residents to do this if required.
• Telephone – everyone is welcome to utilise the home’s phone to converse with loved ones.

All visits must be pre-booked in advanced though our easy-to-use online booking system.  Bookings can also be made through our friendly team who will make the booking on your behalf.

We are continually reviewing our visiting policies and make changes when we are able or instructed to do so, this is primarily lead by Government Guidance, Nottinghamshire County Council or Bassetlaw Clinical Commissioning Group as well as the Director of Public Health.  Our priority remains to be the safety of our residents, colleagues, and visitors alike.

Sadly, sometimes our residents may require end of life care and in these cases, we will arrange compassionate visits for close family members to take place.  We will support compassionate visits during periods of lockdowns and will do everything we can to support families during this sad time.

Should you have any queries regarding our visiting options please call our friendly team on 01777 838219 or email [email protected] we look forward to seeing you soon.

by Charlotte Shatwell