Coronavirus Information
COVID-19 is a new illness that affects your lungs and airways. It is caused by a virus called coronavirus and includes symptoms similar to the flu and a common cold: a cough, high temperature, shortness of breath.
The NHS have issued these guidelines to avoid catching and spreading the virus:
– Always and frequently wash your hands with soap and water
– Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
– Cough or sneeze into a tissue and put used tissues straight in the bin
– Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
To check if you need medical help, the NHS has an online coronavirus service that can advise you what to do, or you can call 111.
The latest general official information coming from the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and Public Health England can be found here.
CQC Guidance
Care Quality Commissions have recently shared information on how they are responding to the outbreak of COVID-19 and their plans to approach any future decisions. As a nursing home, our coronavirus preparations will be informed and based upon further information provided by CQC. They aim to always act in the best interest of people and will ensure balance between delivering care and checking the safety of service users is maintained.
COVID-19 is a fast-moving situation which may lead to changes to their services and how they provide them. In light of this, they have established three key principles to make sure services continue to be safe:
- They will be focusing efforts where they are needed most to make sure people receive safe care. This means concentrating resources to areas where risk of quality of care is highest and will make the biggest difference.
- They will support care providers by reducing what is asked of them and their flexibility. This will include reducing what is needed to prepare for inspections and limiting their need to be onsite.
- They will honour their duty of care to their colleagues at CQC.
They will continue to carry out inspections so that quality does not decline and inspection managers will be reviewing plans on an ongoing basis. CQC have also stated that they will take a pragmatic and flexible approach to how and when they regulate as and when the situation develops. They will continue to monitor the situation and will share updates through their regular communication channels on social media.
Our Coronavirus Preparations
In light of the recent outbreak of the coronavirus and diagnosis of cases in the UK, we wish to reassure our residents, families and staff that we are taking provisions to maintain the health and safety of everyone in our care home. Please see our own Covid-19 web page for more information.
The Public Health England (PHE) have published COVID-19 guidance for health professionals – including guidance on the assessment and management of suspected UK cases, and care in residential settings. The NHS has also updated its coronavirus webpages, bringing their guidance for social care staff and healthcare professionals into one place.
All the team at Stanfield Nursing Home are using these resources in our coronavirus preparations. Ensuring the safety and high quality care of our residents is our top priority. We routinely undertake Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) audits and have increased stocks of essential items. We have also introduced additional checks on hand washing for all staff, residents, and visitors which we try to make enjoyable and fun.
Contacting Stanfield Nursing Home
If you are interested in finding out more information about our coronavirus preparations then head to our website today. Alternatively, you can call 01905 420 459 to speak to a member of our helpful and friendly team.