Dear All,

We would like to offer an update on the current coronavirus situation.

Our care teams continue to work extremely hard in challenging conditions to ensure that your loved ones remain as safe as possible and minimise the impact of the coronavirus. In spite of these efforts, we are saddened that in some cases, some of our homes have been impacted. We would like to firstly offer our deepest condolences to the next of kin who have lost loved ones during the pandemic.

Information for new admissions

We continue welcoming new residents into our homes. In order to ensure the safety of all our existing and incoming residents, we have strict infection control protocols in place, to ensure a seamless and safe journey from assessment through to admission. It is important for our homes to continue to admit people whose care needs can no longer be met at home or in hospital. We would like to reassure you that in advertising for and accepting new admissions, we are only doing so where it is safe to do so and are ensuring that every precaution is in place to protect our existing and future residents.

We have a number of infection control protocols to ensure we reduce the risk of new infections, including:

• Requiring a COVID-19 clear test as well as a full health history from any new resident that is discharged from hospital or another care setting. Where tests are not available, we will put additional measures in place to reduce possible risks.

• Caring for any new resident in isolation for 14 days, with the full use of PPE and twice daily health check.

Testing

We are actively taking part in mandatory testing and would like to reassure you that our homes are receiving ample ‘whole home’ testing kits along with the new Lateral Flow Testing Kits.

Family visitations:

Visits by next-of-kin to our homes are decided on an individual home level, based on local guidance and dynamic risk assessments. For the homes that are allowing these visitations, only 1 visitor is allowed in at any one time. For residents in End-of-Life care, compassionate visitations will be granted.

We are of course mindful of the fact we are well in to a second wave in the fight against this pandemic and of course the latest government lock down and “stay at home” message.

Please note that specific details of how your visit will be managed will be provided by the respective home manager. All visits are at the home manager’s discretion and based on local area guidelines, infection rates and recent test results.

Other visitors to our homes

It is important to note that these restrictions on visitations to our homes also applies to all non-essential visitors. Please be assured that all visitors will be briefed on the strictest infection control procedures and will be subject to many of the same control measures outlined for next-of-kin.

Thank you

We would like to take this opportunity to, once again, thank all of our colleagues who have been the pillars of support for our homes throughout this period. Many of you have stayed positive during this difficult time and have continued to provide excellent quality care to our residents, whilst mourning the ones we have lost.

We would also like to thank next-of-kin and the local communities, who have supported, both emotionally and through thoughtful cards, letters and donations. We are so grateful for the continued support and understanding. Of course, as a provider, we are delighted that the Vaccine roll out has commenced for both our staff and our residents. We continually receive information at local level as to when and who gets vaccinated. Our homes will of course keep you informed of this progress locally and update you as the roll out continues and we remain very hopeful that the vaccine remains the way out of this situation we find ourselves in.

If you have any further questions, we would advise contacting the care home of your loved one in the first instance. Alternatively, you may drop an enquiry to enquiries@minstercaregroup.co.uk

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.