Information to All Visitors & Residents

Meddyg Care continues to treat the coronavirus pandemic with the utmost seriousness and strives to only follow the most up-to-date guidance as provided by the Welsh Government (WG) and Public Health Wales (PHW) as well as the safety measures put into place by our professional advisors.

These measures ensure the safety and well-being of our residents and staff alike so that we may continue to deliver the highest standards of care possible in these trying and uncertain times.

Continuous investment in technology and staff training has meant that we are also prepared to take immediate action should a second wave of the virus outbreak in Wales.

As one of the first care homes to go into total lockdown on the 16 March 2020 and to provide our staff with the Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) required to continue their work, we aim to act on the information provided before government led enforcements are put into place to ensure that we protect our residents and staff to the best of our abilities.

We continue to operate with enhanced health and safety and infection prevention measures in place and ask that you adhere to these measures at all times.

Visiting Professionals

District Nurses, Doctors and other health professionals may enter the premises upon receipt of your ID and given that you are wearing the appropriate PPE. We will then provide disposable shoe coverings and any additional PPE as required. Staff will then escort you to see your patient/resident by the shortest route possible to minimise contact with others.

Easing the Lockdown – Through Window Family Visits by Appointments

For loved ones with memory related conditions, we recognise the impact that the current situation can have on the mental health and well-being. Total lockdown, especially for residents who only see the staff with visors and masks, is likely to have a psychological effect on visual imagery and thought patterns so we have begun accepting controlled family visits by appointment.

Allowing visitors within the home at present will only be considered and permitted under special circumstances (e.g. end of life care) with additional precautions in place to ensure everyone’s safety.
We appreciate your cooperation, assistance and compliance with our policies and procedures regarding visitations, which are aimed at minimising the risks of the virus being brought in or spreading through our homes and beyond.

General Precautions

Alcohol-based hand sanitiser: Please use your own hand sanitiser or the hand sanitiser provided at the front door and designated visiting areas upon entering and leaving the premises.

Children: Children and toddlers are not permitted to enter the care home for the time being. Children may be more resilient to the virus and thus show fewer symptoms than adults. Many scientists consider that this may be helping to amplify transmission and a source for other simple viral infections such as common cold and flu which our residents can ill afford. There is no concrete evidence to support this theory at present but we will take every precaution to minimise the spread of the virus and reduce risks and we ask for your cooperation. This will be reviewed and updated as we transit from the Government’s “containment” to “eradication” phase.

Symptoms: If you have a high temperature (fever), persistent cough or shortness of breath, loss or reduction to your sense of taste and smell, please avoid visiting the care home and dial 111 to seek further advice. Experiencing any of these symptoms does not mean that you have the illness but you should take precautionary measures to ensure your health and the health of others.

Personal protection equipment (PPE): During your visit you should always wear masks, face shields and other items supplied by us during upon arrival, both for your own protection as well as the protection of our residents and staff.

How We Ensure Continuity of Care in the Wake of Coronavirus

All employees have been issued with guidelines and tailored virus prevention training modules on how to recognise symptoms and how to maintain robust health and safety practices. We’ve also reiterated the Government’s advice to remain isolated at home and obtain advice from 111, should they experience any symptoms.
Going forward we will continue to monitor updates, adjusting our procedure accordingly, and relay regular messages to our workforce to ensure best practice.

We have a good team of staff who know the residents and their families well and do their utmost to ensure our policies are put into place without fail.
Visiting Family Members and Friends will only be permitted to visit if they self-certify to confirm adherence to our strict terms and health and safety procedures, though it is important to note that this requirement does not apply to visiting professionals who are required to observe their own protocols and safe working practices.

We continue to encourage the use of Facetime video chat facilities to supplement or reduce the need for face-to-face meetings.
In the event of an outbreak at our home, we will take appropriate measures in consultation with Public Health Wales and visiting will be suspended until further notice.

Together we will work to protect our workforce and the vulnerable people in our care. Please inform us immediately should you have come across anyone diagnosed with Covid-19 or has coronavirus symptoms, is undergoing quarantine, or has been asked to self-isolate.
This continues to be a challenging time for us all. We assure you that if we all work together diligently to minimise the risks, we can contribute towards minimising the spread and the eradication of the virus whilst the Government and scientists persist to find a solution.
 

 
Act responsibly and stay safe. Should you have any queries or concerns, please contact either of the Home Managers:

Criccieth
Lorna Jones – Home Manager
lorna.jones@meddygcare.co.uk

Porthmadog
Maria Griffiths – Acting Home Manager
maria.griffiths@meddygcare.co.uk