Care home visiting update - 9 November 2020 | News from Oakwood Court

We recognise that the impact the pandemic has had on visiting arrangements for our relatives and residents has been hugely significant. 

We are pleased that the Government has responded to the requests made by the National Care Forum and have updated their visitor guidance, which means that despite a national lockdown, visits can continue. 

We have signed up to the National Care Forum call to action for further changes to happen including fast swab testing of family members. They are planning a pilot of fast swab testing visitors and we’re hopeful that if successful this is accepted as the new model of visiting in the future. 

All of our homes continue to be open for visiting from two constant essential family/friend visitors in line with the government guidance. Sussex Housing & Care has invested in building external visitor pods and designated indoor visiting rooms in its homes to enable loved ones to keep in touch with each other in a safe way. We also have and will continue to enable in-bedroom visits for any of our residents who may be at the end of their lives or for other exceptional reasons. We very much hope that there will be further changes shortly to help family visits.

Saxonwood care home in Battle - building of the new visitor pod named by residents as 'Forget Me Not Cottage'

Oakwood Court care home, Haywards Heath - new indoor visiting room.

Oakwood Court care home in Haywards Heath - building of the new visitor pod.

Woodlands care home in Crowborough - new indoor visiting room.

Ardath care home in Bexhill is also making adaptations to create a new indoor visiting room.