Family member claims being denied window visits at Grantham care home

A granddaughter of a care home resident on end-of-life care has claimed she is being denied window visits.

Sophie McGuffie told the Grantham Journal she had been asked to leave on several occasions when attempting to see her grandmother through her bedroom window at Barchester’s Maple Leaf Lodge.

Ms McGuffie said that while pod visiting had been put in place at the home since December she had only been able to see her 84-year-old grandmother once every seven to 10 days for 30 minutes.

carehomeprofessional.com

‘Poorly thought through’: frustration over England’s care home visit rules

Some families say rule changes do not go far enough, with only two visitors allowed and no trips out

From 12 April, care home residents in England will be able to receive two named, regular visitors – up from one allowed at present. Also, babies and children under the age of two will be able to accompany visitors, so grandparents can meet grandchildren born during Covid lockdown.

While the policy offers a long-awaited easing of visiting restrictions, some families have said it does not go far enough. Three people whose loved ones live in care homes speak about how the change in policy will affect their family.

thegaurdian.com

Covid cluster found among 11 vaccinated pensioners in French care home

Vaccinated people can still catch and transmit the virus a French health authority has warned

Eleven residents in an elderly care home in east France have tested positive for Covid-19 after most of them had been vaccinated against the virus.

None of the 11 is seriously ill but three have been hospitalised as a precaution as they have other illnesses.

This comes as the Grand Est regional health authority (ARS) has said that vaccinated people can still catch the virus, and transmit it to others.

Three hospitalised as a precaution

In the Résidence Le Ried home in Marckolsheim (Bas-Rhin), 73 of the 93 residents had been vaccinated when the cluster was identified. Of the 11 that have been reinfected, eight were fully vaccinated.

connexionfrance.com

The other three –  who have been hospitalised as a precaution – include two people who were not vaccinated and one who had received one dose of the vaccine.

Werneth Lodge Care Home praised for coronavirus response by inspectors

AN Oldham care home has been hailed by inspectors for its response to the cornavirus pandemic.

Werneth Lodge Care Home in Manchester Road was visited by regulator the Care Quality Commission on March 17 and its report has now been published.

The residential facility has capacity for up to 42 people, but at the time of the inspection - which the home was warned about - there were 32 people in situ.

Inspectors said they found numerous examples of good practice.

"All visitors temperatures were taken to help screen people for Covid-19," it said.

theoldhamtimes.co.uk

Babies and young children can join two visitors inside care homes from 12 April

Care home residents in England will be allowed two regular visitors indoors from 12 April and will also get the chance to see babies and toddlers – in a bid to reunite grandparents with their grandchildren.

Babies and young children will be able to accompany two indoor visitors who are parents, to enable many grandparents and grandparents to see new members of their family for the first time.

Visitors can hold hands with residents and will be asked to provide a negative test result before entry to the care homes and wear PPE during the visit to keep themselves, staff and residents safe.

carehome.co.uk

UK's care homes tap into 'boutique vibe' to fill empty beds

Rosario, a former flamenco dancer, at Brinsworth House: ‘This home speaks to my soul’. Photograph: Handout

Brinsworth House, a care home for retired light entertainers, is a paradise for old pros, whether they are former wig makers, set designers or the one-time stars of the show. Among faded playbills, treasured programmes and portraits of actors lining the walls of the Middlesex care home, residents live out memories from before their final curtain call.

thegaurdian.com