Coronavirus (COVID-19) Statement – Thursday 2nd April

We have been monitoring Coronavirus (COVID-19) developments closely and have decided to enhance the control measures we have already put in place to help limit risk to our residents, tenants and staff.

From today – Thursday 2nd April – and until further notice, NorseCare continues to ask our homes and schemes to stop all non-essential visitors to help reduce the risk of spreading Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Managers will still have discretion to allow controlled visits in special circumstances and we will always ensure that any necessary medical visits can be facilitated, so please liaise directly with the home or scheme manager if this is something that you wish to discuss.

Where a visit is allowed, it is crucial that any visitor strictly complies with all government guidance on hygiene and in addition, to stay away completely if they have any symptoms of illness at all, or if they have been close to others who have. In relation to this, we will also be undertaking some additional visitor checks prior to entry to the building.

This is of course not a decision taken lightly as we are well aware that visitors play an important role in the lives, care and wellbeing of our residents and tenants, but we have to prioritise the health and safety of those we care for and our staff above all else at the present time. We very much hope that you can understand our decision and will support us as we try to keep everybody as safe as possible.

We have written again directly to tenants and been in regular communication with the registered social landlords and are keeping our staff informed of these changes.

We are continuously monitoring the situation and are following the Government and Department of Health and Social Care’s specific advice for care providers. For any staff who experience any symptoms or who have recently returned from the affected countries listed by the Government, we are asking them to follow the guidance provided, self-isolating if necessary.

We are keeping all staff informed of any developing advice and planning for potential changes to the situation over the coming weeks and months. Should you have any concerns, please speak to your home or scheme manager in the first instance, but should you remain concerned, please refer to our Strategic Coronavirus Lead, Nigel Reeve, who will be able to assist.

The following websites also contain useful guidance:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19

111.nhs.uk/service/COVID-19

www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

We will update this page and our social media pages in the event of any further developments.