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Coronavirus Update

We are following the governments advice on how to deal with the Coronavirus, as outlined here.

**UPDATE 5 APRIL 2023**

 

As you may be aware, the Government has brought out new guidance for Care Homes and COVID.  We are pleased the restrictions are gradually being lifted.

 

From now on the following COVID precautions will apply –

 

Residents

  • If a resident has symptoms, we will test with LFD and treat dependent on result.
  • We will only test those who are symptomatic
  • Once 5 people have tested positive, we will have to restrict access as below.   No further testing will be undertaken, unless a resident or member of staff who is eligible for COVID 19 treatment becomes symptomatic.
  • Any residents with positive result will be supported to stay away from other residents.

 

Restricted Access when there are cases

  • Our risk assessments will be updated  – including consideration of – known source, contact between residents who have symptoms, whether the first identified case originated in the home
  • Any suspected positive residents will be supported to stay away from other residents for 5 days
  • Visiting will be limited to one person at a time for residents who are symptomatic.  NO OTHER VISITING WILL BE RESTRICTED
  • We will protect the most vulnerable and those who are eligible for COVID 19 treatments, unless they have a signed care plan expressing other wishes.
  • Restricted access will be lifted 5 days after the last suspected case

 

Admissions

  • From hospital – we will insist on a LFD test 48 hrs before admission
  • From the community no testing will be required.

 

Personal Protective Equipment.

  • When visiting a COVID positive resident, full PPE must be worn, as directed by the home.
  • Masks do not need to be worn in any other situation, unless directed by the Registered Manager

 

Refreshments and Lunch

Unless otherwise advised by the Registered Manager, visitors are welcome have refreshments or book to have lunch with residents.  As before, there will be no charge for this, however a donation towards the cost is always appreciated – this can be made at the office or through our Just Giving platform, which we are currently setting up, details will follow 😊

 

Please do not hesitate to contact your home manager, or myself, if we can help further.

Sally Tidy

CEO

Abbeyfield Wey Valley Society

 

 

 

 

**UPDATE 6 JANUARY 2023**

Dear Sponsor,

As you know the guidance for COVID has recently changed and we have had the pleasure of not wearing masks within the homes.  However, over the past couple of weeks, as you have probably heard, cases of Flu and COVID have been on the increase and the NHS has declared a critical incident.  Yesterday we received the email below from our local Integrated Care Board.

 

Following our own internal risk assessment, we have decided to put the following in place to try to ensure the safety of residents:

 

Until step down notice has been received staff and visitors should follow these measures:

  • Visitors are asked to wear masks and not visit if they have any symptoms of illness
  • Visitors may be asked to undertake an LFD prior to entering building
  • Staff will wear masks when delivering Personal Care
  • Staff will wear masks when serving and delivering food to residents
  • Staff feeling unwell will take an LFD and go home if positive
  • If negative and feeling well enough to work without obvious cough and temperature, staff will wear a mask for their whole shift.

 

It is such a shame we are having to take a step backwards but I am sure you will agree that it is better to be as safe as possible.  Please note the guidance for homes who have COVID cases remains unchanged.

 

Kind Regards

Sally

 

 

 

 

**UPDATE 22 DECEMBER 2022**

As you know throughout the COVID Pandemic the Abbeyfield Wey Valley Society have been following Government Guidance in all practices within our homes, to try and ensure our residents are as safe as possible.

The Guidance is changing again and I am pleased to let you know that from 22nd December 2022 masks are no longer required to be worn by visitors or staff.

However, there are some caveats within this guidance as follows –

  • Residents will be asked if they would prefer staff to wear masks whilst receiving personal care, if they do staff will continue.
  • If you have Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare for a resident who is unable to make this decision for themselves, please ensure you speak to the Registered Manager, of the appropriate home, if you would prefer staff to wear a mask whilst delivering personal care.  Staff will stop wearing masks if instruction is not received.
  • If a Resident is particularly vulnerable to severe outcomes from COVID, mask wearing will be considered following an individual risk assessment and in accordance with the Resident’s preferences.
  • If the home has COVID cases, all staff and visitors MUST go back to wearing masks for the duration of the outbreak and visiting will become restricted.
  • All visitors will still be asked prior to entering the home if they are well, please ensure if you feel unwell that you do not visit any of our homes.

After two and a half years, we finally appear to be returning to normal.  We are looking forward to being able to offer refreshments again and Residents being able to invite guests for lunch, as they always use to – however please bear with us whilst we get used to it again!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all at the Abbeyfield Wey Valley Society.

Kind Regards

Sally

 

 

 

**Update  20 May 2022 **

As per the government’s continued Guidance, Facemasks are still required when visiting the homes – however now the nicer weather is here, relatives are welcome to visit in the garden without masks, but should remain mindful of social distancing.

Many thanks for your support in ensuring the safety of our residents and we  look forward to welcoming you to our homes.

 

 

**Update 31st January 2022**

We have looked at the new guidelines for care homes and have made the following adjustments within our homes;

• Residents are allowed anyone to come and visit them (including children), but only two people at one time.
• You still need to call the home and book a time, so we are aware of your visit.
• Visits will be limited to ONE hour
• Visiting still to be in residents rooms NOT in communal areas
• Before entering you MUST put on a new mask, sanitise your hands, fill in the Covid Visiting form and show your Negative Lateral flow result.

  • PLEASE NOTE Lateral Flow tests MUST be taken on the day of visit and if not on site proof of a negative reading will be required.  ALL Lateral flow tests MUST be registered under the UON number of the home you are visiting, these are as follows:
  • Wey Valley House      10078657
  • Hatch Mill                   10176006
  • Ridgway Court           10167427

When registering the test, under reasons for test click “For visiting someone who gets care or support from social care services” which is on the 2nd page which asks “tell us why you took the test”, click “another reason” on the first page

RESIDENTS GOING OUT

  • If you are taking a Resident out please ensure all in contact have had a negative Lateral Flow test on the day, please note the efficacy of Lateral Flow Tests is severely diminished once symptoms are present – we would therefore ask that no resident comes into contact with someone with symptoms and that a PCR test is sought ASAP by the person who has the symptoms.
  • Please keep physical contact to a minimum and wear masks where possible.
  • Please inform the Care Home immediately if anyone present experiences symptoms or a positive LFD/PCR within 7 days of any meeting.

Thank you for your patience and understanding

 

**UPDATE 16 DECEMBER 2021**

Further to our update  on Monday, the guidance for Care Home visiting has changed slightly again.  In light of the new infection rates we are anticipating this to happen more often in the forthcoming weeks, I will endeavour to keep you and the residents informed as quickly as possible.  Below I have added the changes to the guidance in blue.

 

Please note these new changes are active as of TODAY :

 

Visiting the Home

  • Only 3 nominated visitors will be allowed within the home for each Resident.  We request that only 2 of those nominated visit at any one time. A new nomination form is attached.  For details on Essential Carers please speak to your Registered Manager
  • Visits remain by appointment and only following a negative Lateral Flow test and completed screening form – PLEASE NOTE Lateral Flow tests MUST be taken on the day of visit and if not on site proof of a negative reading will be required.  ALL Lateral flow tests MUST be registered under the UON number of the home you are visiting, these are as follows:
  • Wey Valley House      10078657
  • Hatch Mill                   10176006
  • Ridgway Court           10167427

When registering the test, under reasons for test click “For visiting someone who gets care or support from social care services” which is on the 2nd page which asks “tell us why you took the test”, click “another reason” on the first page

  • Our visiting pods will be available for any other visits, again by appointment – in this busy period we would ask that pod visits are  restricted to 30 minutes.  Please note the pods need to be cleaned between each visit which may restrict the number of appointments available.

 

Residents Going Out

  •  If a Resident is going out of the house to an area of low risk (i.e. Community based visits, relative’s house etc.) a Lateral Flow test will be required on return to the home and every other day for a 14 day period thereafter and every day for 10 days thereafter – we have checked with PHE and these must be the throat and nose LFDs sadly not just the nasal ones.
  • On returning from hospital a 14 day isolation period may still be required, dependent on what type of appointment/admission has taken place. Please note the LFD regime  above will still be required
  • If you are taking a Resident out to a family gathering please ensure all present have had a negative Lateral Flow test on the day, please note the efficacy of Lateral Flow Tests is severely diminished once symptoms are present – we would therefore ask that no resident comes into contact with someone with symptoms and that a PCR test is sought ASAP by the person who has the symptoms.
  • Please keep physical contact to a minimum and wear masks where possible.
  • Please inform the Care Home immediately if anyone present experiences symptoms or a positive LFD/PCR within 7 days of any meeting.

 

As you are aware as from the 11th November all our staff, agency staff, volunteers, contractors and visiting professionals have been double vaccinated.  It is not compulsory for visiting family members however we would strongly recommend, if you are visiting, that you are vaccinated.

 

As from Wednesday the testing of our staff will also be increased to 3 LFD’s a week from 2 and their normal PCR.  If any member of staff tests positive, ALL staff within the home go to daily testing for a week.

 

If you have any further questions surrounding the new guidance please do not hesitate to contact the Registered Manager of your home or myself.

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your understanding and help in keeping our Residents safe and COVID out of our homes.  We will let you know if anything further changes.

 

Wishing you a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year

 

Kind Regards

Sally

 

 

** Update 13 December 2021**

Dear Sponsor

As I am sure you are aware the Government have released new guidance surrounding visits to Care Homes, tightening the guidance that we already abide by.

 

Therefore from this Wednesday 15th December the following will change:

 

Visiting the Home

  • Only 3 nominated visitors will be allowed within the home for each Resident.  We request that only 2 of those nominated visit at any one time.  For details on Essential Carers please speak to your Registered Manager
  • Visits remain by appointment and only following a negative Lateral Flow test and completed screening form – PLEASE NOTE Lateral Flow tests MUST be taken on the day of visit and if not on site proof of a negative reading will be required.
  • Our visiting pods will be available for any other visits, again by appointment – in this busy period we would ask that pod visits are  restricted to 30 minutes.  Please note the pods need to be cleaned between each visit which may restrict the number of appointments available.

Residents Going Out

  •  If a Resident is going out of the house to an area of low risk (i.e. Community based visits, relative’s house etc.) a Lateral Flow test will be required on return to the home and every other day for a 14 day period thereafter.
  • On returning from hospital a 14 day isolation period may still be required, dependent on what type of appointment/admission has taken place.
  • If you are taking a Resident out to a family gathering please ensure all present have had a negative Lateral Flow test on the day, please note the efficacy of Lateral Flow Tests is severely diminished once symptoms are present – we would therefore ask that no resident comes into contact with someone with symptoms and that a PCR test is sought ASAP by the person who has the symptoms.
  • Please keep physical contact to a minimum and wear masks where possible.
  • Please inform the Care Home immediately if anyone present experiences symptoms or a positive LFD/PCR within 7 days of any meeting.

 

As you are aware as from the 11th November all our staff, agency staff, volunteers, contractors and visiting professionals have been double vaccinated.  It is not compulsory for visiting family members however we would strongly recommend, if you are visiting, that you are vaccinated.

 

As from Wednesday the testing of our staff will also be increased to 3 LFD’s a week from 2 and their normal PCR.  If any member of staff tests positive, ALL staff within the home go to daily testing for a week.

 

If you have any further questions surrounding the new guidance please do not hesitate to contact the Registered Manager of your home or myself.

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your understanding and help in keeping our Residents safe and COVID out of our homes.  We will let you know if anything further changes.

 

Wishing you a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year

Kind Regards

Sally

 

 

Sally Tidy

Chief Executive Officer

Abbeyfield Wey Valley Society Limited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19 July 2021

As I am sure you are aware, the rules surrounding COVID are changing on 19th July2021 and many restrictions are being lifted.  However as yet Care Homes have not received any new guidance therefore, until further notice, ALL COVID restrictions will remain unchanged.

 

  • Visiting by appointment only –  with only 2 visitors per resident at any one time (up to 5 visitors can be nominated)
  • A negative LFD taken on the day of visit – proof will be required
  • Screening form completed
  • Mask, aprons and gloves on entering the home – Please note all PPE should only be that provided by the home – this includes masks

 

For those of you who are registering your LFD’s at home – the Unique Organisation Number(UON) for each home is as follows –

 

Hatch Mill – 10176006 – email – hatchmill@abbeyfieldweyvalley.co.uk

 

Wey Valley – 10078657 – email – weyvalley@abbeyfieldweyvalley.co.uk

 

Ridgway Court – 10167427 – email – ridgway@abbeyfieldweyvalley.co.uk

 

For further information on how to self – test at home please follow this link  Testing at home guide

 

PLEASE DO NOT ENTER OUR BUILDINGS UNTIL A MEMBER OF STAFF ATTENDS TO YOU AND CHECKS YOUR LFD RESULT, regardless if doors are open or you know the code.

 

We will endeavour to adapt as quickly as possible once any new guidance is in place.

 

If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact the home’s manager or myself.

 

Kind Regards

Sally

 

17th  May 2021

Further to the government announcement earlier this week, we are pleased to be able to inform you that restrictions have been further lifted and residents can now have more visitors –

From Monday 17th May 2021 –

Residents can be visited by 5 named visitors, with a maximum of 2 visitors at any one time or on a given day.  Please find form attached to nominate 3 more visitors.  Please note the form asks if you have had the vaccine – responding ‘no’ will not preclude a visit but we ask those, who have not had it, to act with even more caution.  All other visiting protocols remain unchanged and visits are by appointment only.

From the guidance we have currently received, although pubs and restaurants will be open for inside visits, Care Home Residents are still being advised to remain outside, needing a period of isolation if this guidance is not followed

The guidance states the activities outside of the care home that will not require self-isolation include:

  • outdoor visits to parks, beaches or gardens
  • medical appointments
  • visiting day centres

We anticipate over the coming weeks guidance will be changing rapidly again, as we finally come out of the pandemic. Please bear with us, we will be as responsive as we can.  However, as I am sure you can appreciate, our number one priority remains the safety and wellbeing of everyone living and working in our care homes and some changes may take time to initiate.

Lateral Flow Tests. (LFD)

We are happy to carry out LFD testing 30 minutes prior to your visit however if you have your own tests at home we are now happy to accept the result as long as the following two conditions are met  –

  • The test MUST be carried out on the SAME day as the visit – past tests will not be accepted
  • When registering the test please use the email of the home you are visiting (below) and your own mobile phone number – this means the home will receive an email and you a text – PLEASE NOTE –  the text will need to be shown to staff prior to visit as proof of a negative result, only managers will have access to the emails which will be used as an audit trail to prove we are testing all visitors.

Emails addresses as follows –

hatchmill@abbeyfieldweyvalley.co.uk

weyvalleyhouse@abbeyfieldweyvalley.co.uk

ridgway@abbeyfieldweyvalley.co.uk

Please note our screening forms have been updated to reflect recent changes.

Please do not hesitate to contact either the Home Manager or myself if you require any further information or advice.

Kind Regards

Sally

Further to the latest change in Government Guidance, surrounding COVID, please find below a change in our protocols around visiting and going out.

As from today 4th May 2021 – The two nominated visitors for each resident will be able to take that resident out for a low risk trip, however this will still need to be by appointment due to the LFD testing – Below are some examples of what will be needed whilst out-

  • A walk along the River and visit to Gostrey Meadow, all  MUST wear masks, which must be those provided by the home.  If having a picnic masks should not be removed until seated 2m apart.
  • A trip out in the car – where possible the resident should sit in the back of car – all  MUST wear masks, which must be those provided by the home.
  • Visiting the nominated person’s garden – remaining outside at all times – This will necessitate avoiding use of toilet facilities, all  MUST wear masks, which must be those provided by the home
  • Outdoor visit to café or Restaurant – ensuring you sit outside as far away from others as possible – this will necessitate NOT using public toilet facilities –  please use the QR code the restaurant provides – all  MUST wear masks, which must be those provided by the home – Only removing to eat and drink –  please ensure 2m Social distancing when mask removed.
  • Please DO NOT visit higher risk areas where there are more people, such as clothing shops, supermarkets and shopping centres

IF IN DOUBT please chat to the manager of the home for clarification

Please note a negative LFD test, temperature check and screening document will still be required before taking a resident out, masks, (which MUST be the ones provided by the home, not reusable/fabric ones) should remain in situ at all times, where possible 2m Social Distancing should be observed and physical contact remain at a minimum.

We anticipate over the coming weeks guidance will be changing rapidly again, as we finally come out of the pandemic. Please bear with us, we will be as responsive as we can, however as I am sure you can appreciate our number one priority remains the safety and wellbeing of everyone living and working in our care homes and some changes may take time to initiate.

Please do not hesitate to contact either the Home Manager or myself if you require any further information or advice.

Kind Regards

Sally Tidy

CEO Abbeyfield Wey Valley Society

12 April 2021

Following the Residents’ second vaccine and the new revised Government Guidance, we are pleased to inform you that we will, at last, be open for internal visits from the 12th  April.  Visits are subject to current protocol which include a negative LFD test prior to appointment time.

Please note:

1.         Visiting will be by appointment only – we will start with half hourly visits between 10.00 and 16.00, (stopping for lunch between 12.30 and 13.30).  Please remember to allow 30 minutes for LFD test prior to your appointment time

2.         Only two nominated people will be able to visit at any one time, completed nomination forms must be received prior to first visit, these visitors will only be able to change monthly with a week’s notice of change

** Please speak to a member of our team when booking your appointment to familiarise yourself with the strict visiting protocol currently in place **

Thank you for your continued understanding and we look forward to welcoming you back into our homes.

The Abbeyfield Team.

8 March 2021

You will see from the current government guidance that, as from the 8th March, the restrictions on visiting care homes will change.  The Society are extremely concerned about this decision as we feel that our residents are still at  high risk, especially as schools and other areas are re-opening, which will probably increase the spread of the virus again.

Although we are very mindful that the residents have not had physical contact with their families for many months, we feel, when we are so close to getting the virus under proper control, that to increase the risk of having another outbreak without residents being fully covered by the vaccine would be extremely detrimental.  Therefore, having discussed at length the risks in all aspects, we would like to wait for the residents to have had their second vaccination before allowing internal visits.  At the moment this is scheduled for mid-April, although we are trying to get the date moved forward. 

Pod visiting can continue and as the weather improves, we will reinstate the gazebos in the garden for visits – any resident who is very poorly will continue to be allowed internal visits, following the current infection control protocols in place.

 Thank you for your continued understanding as we endeavour to maintain the safety of all our residents and staff.

 Sally Tidy

CEO Abbeyfield Wey Valley Society

6th November

Letter from Sally Tidy CEO

Dear Sponsor,
As you are aware the Government are imposing a new Lockdown in England this Thursday, as yet we have not had new guidance as to how this will affect our services, however as soon as we know we will ensure you are aware.
We are living in worrying times and I thought following the news yesterday, that reported a relatively local Care Home with a significant outbreak of Covid, I would write with an update of how the Society’s services are doing.
I am pleased to report that after the small outbreak in our Nursing home in April of this year where 3 residents got the virus, our residents since have remained COVID free. Our staff are being tested weekly and residents monthly. To date we have identified some asymptomatic staff, who have been isolated immediately, fortunately, this has not spread to any Residents. As we had 2 members of staff test positive in the same week, Public Health England defined this as an outbreak and placed Hatch Mill into lockdown, no staff or residents have tested positive since.
PPE supplies remain good and our staff are strictly following all infection control procedures. Masks are being worn at all times when in contact with residents and all communal areas have been redesigned to promote social distancing.
Please bear with us in these difficult times, our staff are going that extra mile to ensure all remain as safe as possible, we will be following the government guidance strictly and hope to keep the virus out. Please do not embarrass or intimidate our staff for implementing the rules – it is outside their control.
I appreciate this is a difficult time for all and heart-breaking not being able to see loved ones. We are trying our hardest to keep morale up, our staff are working endlessly to ensure your loved ones are not only cared for physically but socially as well. If you would like to know more, please chat to one of our staff or visit our Facebook page to see what we are doing. We have now launched our new website which will also have more information in the coming weeks. The links for both are below.
Yours faithfully
Sally Tidy
Chief Executive Officer

1st October – The Society is concerned that with winter approaching external visiting areas may be unsuitable.  We will endeavour to provide COVID safe internal visiting areas within our homes, however as we are sure everyone can appreciate, the logistics of this are challenging.  Most homes will only have the capacity to receive one visitor at a time due to space and infection control processes, therefore, visiting times and frequency may have to be restricted.  Please check with each home individually for visiting capacity and protocols.

Please note that our visiting policy may be withdrawn at any point if the local area ‘RAG’ rating changes.  Surrey is currently GREEN.

1st September We have reviewed the governments advice and there are no changes to visiting in our homes at this time.

1st August We have reviewed the governments advice and there are no changes to visiting in our homes at this time.

1st July We have reviewed the governments advice and there are no changes to visiting in our homes at this time.

23rd June Please note;

  • Social distancing will remain at 2m when visiting our residents, for the foreseeable future.
  • Although the government may change this guidance, the Society has decided to safeguard the safety of our residents, our policy will be to take the more cautious approach.
  • Visiting will also remain by appointment only. Please Do Not turn up without an appointment as we would not like to cause embarrassment by turning you away
  • When you have made an appointment please can you stick to this time as we are trying to ensure all families get a chance to visit.

4th June

As you are aware the Government has changed its lockdown rules. At this time it has not been changed for Care Homes.

We know how much our residents have missed seeing their families so we have arranged an area in the garden in each home where social distance visits can be made. This will be one visitor at a time and will be following the strict 2 metre distance rule.

Unfortunately we only have limited space in our homes where this can be carried out safely. Please phone the home where your relative lives and staff will be able to clarify their visiting rules as due to space each home has slightly different rules.

To ensure the safety of our residents we ask you DO NOT visit if you are feeling unwell at all. .

If you would like to visit your relative please phone the home to book in advance.  We do not want to cause any embarrassment by turning you away at the door.

We thank you for your understanding

3rd June

We would like to thank our amazing staff for keeping our residents safe and being an extended family when they haven’t been able to see their own. It is because of their dedication and hard work that our Sheltered Housing, Homecare service and Care and Nursing Homes are free from Covid 19

2nd April

MESSAGE FROM YOUR CHAIRMAN AND TRUSTEES

We are all so proud of our staff for keeping the residents in all our homes safe and happy as possible.  They are all coping with the situation well.  There are no issues with food – or indeed sherry!

Obviously we are taking every possible precaution during the current emergency and following all the public health guidelines.  We have some supplies of PPE but need more like so many hospitals and care homes around the country.

Currently we do not have any cases of covid-19, but of course a single case would change the situation dramatically.  We have plans in place to deal with this and to prevent, as far as is humanly possible, any spread to other residents or staff.  However it must be appreciated that in the final analysis this may not be possible.

We have some staff who are self-isolating but so far none actually have the illness.

As a board of trustees we are monitoring the situation closely  in conjunction with our Chief Executive Officer and we will ensure that everyone is kept fully up-to-date.

F Paul Whitlock

Chairman

23rd March

ALL OF OUR HOMES ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED TO ALL VISITORS, as per the governments advice on how to deal with the Coronavirus

  • There are designated external areas outside our care homes with a gazebo and seating available so you can see and speak with your relative the other side of the window. This is by appointment only to conform with the governments social distancing policy.
  • Skype accounts have been set up for each home; if you would like to Skype your relative please phone us so we can arrange a chat for you.

20th March

MESSAGE FOR FAMILIES WITH A LOVED ONE IN THE CARE OF THE ABBEYFIELD WEY VALLEY SOCIETY

I and the trustees of the Society are very aware that our residents are all in the vulnerable category since they are all over 70 and a high proportion have underlying health conditions.  You know that providing them with compassionate care as a member of our ‘family’ is our number one priority.  Indeed it has been a guiding principle of the Abbeyfield movement from its inception.  This will never change.

We are facing a challenging time for you, for them and our staff.   Naturally while we are doing everything possible to try to prevent the coronavirus from gaining a foothold in any of our homes, that may not be possible. We have already put some measures in place but tighter control measures will then be called for and these will almost certainly be upsetting for all.  I am sure you know that at the moment there is a national shortage of testing kits which means that any member of staff or their family who exhibit symptoms must self-isolate. We must expect to see staff shortages as the pandemic develops. I would ask all of you to observe any and all measures we may need to put in place.

This is not intended to alarm you but make you aware of how seriously we take the situation and assure you of our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our residents and staff.

Sally Tidy, our CEO, and her teams are working hard to keep everyone as safe as possible and implementing all government advice and the guidance we are getting from Abbeyfield nationally.  They deserve our thanks for their dedication.

As I have said separately to our staff, this is a global challenge for our world which has hit us quickly and unexpectedly and everyone is feeling their way.  Our Society is a microcosm of the nation and as a nation we have never failed to rise to the challenge, nor will we now.

I and my fellow trustees hope and pray that you stay well.

With all good wishes

F Paul Whitlock

Chairman

19th March

  • Ridgway Court is closed to ALL visitors at this time.
  • Hatch Mill & Wey Valley House are asking that people avoid visiting to protect our residents and staff. However, if you do need to see your relative, we ask that you call ahead to make an appointment. We will only allow one visitor per resident and ask that these visits are kept to under half an hour.
  • Skype accounts have been set up for each home; if you would like to skype your relative please phone us so we can arrange a chat for you.
  • Tel no’s HM 01252 979103 RC 01252 715921 WVH 01252 712021

16th March

As you are aware the Society are trying to reduce the risk to our residents, as far as is practical, without causing distress and whilst following Public Health England and Government guidelines, with this in mind please find below our latest plan – Please note these actions may change rapidly, regular updates will be on our website www.abbeyfieldweyvalley.co.uk and posted on entrances.

  • All visitors to homes are being informed not to enter building if they have travelled to risk area or if they have any symptoms.
  • Door codes have been changed on all entry doors, staff will let people in and check hand sanitiser used.  We are also offering a temperature check, with any who register above 37.5 on a tympanic thermometer being refused entry
  • Visiting has not as yet been stopped, however visitors with small children are asked to reconsider bringing them into the homes
  • If visiting please try to limit movement around the home, where possible staying in bedrooms throughout visit.
  • All family meetings cancelled
  • Volunteers have been asked not to attend at present, however have been asked to be on ‘Stand-by’ if the situation changes.
  • All contact activities stopped (ball games etc)
  • All non-essential hospital appointments cancelled, staff will take essential ones, where possible, to prevent them sitting around in hospital
  • Cleaning hours have been extended to ensure surfaces can be wiped down regularly
  • Food and cleaning stocks are all good, all deliveries are being made to porches
  • Staff asked to identify any medical conditions which could put them at higher risk, so work streams can be adjusted if needed
  • Staff with children asked to look at contingencies for child care if schools close
  • Staff advised they may be consulted on annual leave being cancelled
  • Residents given advice, meetings continue in sheltered houses with advice being given on what they do if they become unwell
  • Nursing agencies being asked for their contingency plans, and asked to try to ensure staff are screened if necessary.
  • Any agency staff are being temperature checked on entry to the homes
  • External activities people have been cancelled, all outings cancelled
  • RAG (red, amber, green) system being used to identify those residents at higher risk
  • Charity Fund Day and our entry to Farnham Carnival cancelled

We know this is a worrying time for all, please abide by the sanctions we have put in place to reduce the risk to all within our homes.