Infection Control for Care Homes / Covid-19 (Coronavirus) Defence
At Northleach Court Care Home, we’ve been diligently monitoring the ongoing situation with Covid-19, under the guidance and advice of Public Health England (PHE), the NHS, and the appropriate Local Authorities. Considering the rapidly changing situation in Europe, we believe it’s time to implement further measures to safeguard the health of our residents, staff, and visitors. We’re seeking your understanding, assistance, and cooperation in this matter.
In light of data indicating a higher mortality rate among the elderly, particularly those with pre-existing health conditions, our top priority is minimising the risks to our residents’ wellbeing. This concern is magnified in the context of infection control in care homes, where individuals are more susceptible.
Our initial step involves reducing the probability of Covid-19 entering Northleach Court Care Home. We request that if you, or anyone in your household, have had any interaction with individuals who have visited or are from countries experiencing a Covid-19 outbreak, you refrain from visiting our home for at least 14 days from the date of contact. This includes but is not limited to, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Italy, Iran, Nepal, and Afghanistan. We urge you to be mindful of any recent trips that may pose a risk, such as holidays, and share this information with any other family member or friend who might visit.
To further optimise infection control in our care home, we are bolstering our staff’s training in Infection Prevention & Control. We are also implementing stricter policies regarding suppliers and contractors, including restricting access to the home, considering the potential risk posed by agency staff.
When visiting Northleach Court Care Home, we’d be grateful for your cooperation in adhering to essential infection prevention practices, such as:
- Proper handwashing habits – Included with this letter is an excerpt from an industry-standard infection control policy on handwashing, emphasizing the use of soap and hot water over gels.
- Good personal hygiene – Since Covid-19 can be transmitted through airborne droplets that may contaminate clothing, we suggest wearing freshly laundered clothes and avoiding coming directly from crowded public places like supermarkets.
- Using a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing
- Avoid using cloth handkerchiefs or reusing tissues as this could contaminate pockets or handbags
- Prompt and careful disposal of used tissues (bag and bin them)
- Not touching items or surfaces, including cups, cutlery, door handles, or rails until hands have been washed
- Washing hands immediately after disposing of a tissue
Though these measures may seem stringent, we believe they are necessary for the most effective infection control for our care home. Your active participation and support will greatly enhance our efforts to protect our residents from this virus.
