UPDATE: 22 DECEMBER 2022

Following their most recent review of the relevant evidence, the PHA has issued updated guidance around the management of care homes in outbreak, specifically the ending of the requirement for whole home testing. This impacts the visiting guidance, which makes a direct reference to the PHA’s previously recommended approach to maintaining visiting during any outbreak events. While the Visiting guidance has therefore been amended to reflect that change there are also some minor amendments to the language in the guidance to provide additional clarity for users around the applicability of the guidance to residents seeking to receive visits from those offering spiritual or pastoral support, or to avail of personal services in the home (hairdressers, etc.)

Please use the links below to access the following documents:

• An updated version of the Visiting With Care – the New Normal guidance document
• A letter to the sector, outlining the changes and restating our expectation around how visiting will be managed over the festive period and beyond
• A letter to residents, again outlining what they can expect in terms of visiting arrangements

Families wishing to vist their relative over the Christmas period should make contact with their care home and discuss their needs with the senior Person in Charge.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Visiting With Care – the New Normal (December 2022 update)

A letter to the Sector re Care Home Visiting Guidance – Christmas Arrangements 2022

A Letter to Care Home Residents regarding Christmas visiting guidance 2022

UPDATE: 22 AUGUST 2022

The PHA have recently completed a full review of care home visiting procedures and have now published updated guidance “Visiting with Care – The New Normal”. This guidance replaces “Visiting with Care – A Pathway” from 1 September 2022.

The new guidance details the arrangements expected for all routine care home visiting and what will happen in the event of an outbreak or any circumstance that would require a more restrictive approach to be implemented.

We would ask families to remain mindful that we are still subject to certain Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures such as handwashing, environmental cleaning, and the appropriate use of PPE. Please continue to engage with staff and inform them of any illness or symptoms so that we can ensure that the risk to your loved ones and all our residents is minimised as much as possible. 

Visiting with Care – The New Normal (September 2022)

Visiting in Care Homes Newsletter Issue 4 (August 2022)

UPDATE: 21 JULY 2022

Visiting in Care Homes Newsletter Issue 3 (July 2022)

UPDATE: 1 JULY 2022

We are pleased to say that the latest PHA review has recommended moving to the fourth stage of the Pathway “Preparing for the Future”.

Effective 1 July there are:

• No restrictions on the number of visits or visitors for any resident.
• Visits can take place in resident rooms, or in designated common areas within the home.
• No restriction of residents leaving or overnight stays.

Our booking system will remain for the time being to ensure that our Infection Prevention and Control measures are maintained and that visitors and residents have sufficient space and privacy for their visit.

Visiting in Care Homes Newsletter Issue 2 (June 2022)

CNO Letter to Sector – Update on Care Home Visiting Pathway 28-06-2022

UPDATE: 20 MAY 2022

Latest Public Health review has been completed and the recommendation is that we should remain at the third full stage of the Pathway – “Further Easing”.  Follow the links below for the full advice.

CNO Letter to Sector – Care Home Pathway review – 20-05-2022 

Appendix 3 – Updated Guidance re Visiting in a Care Home During a Covid 19 Outbreak – 20 May 2022 

Appendix 2 – Visiting in Care Homes Newsletter Issue 1 

UPDATE: 21 APRIL 2022

Public Health advice is that we should remain at the third full stage of the Pathway – “Further Easing”.  Follow the link below for the full advice.

Care Home Visiting Guidance – Latest Review of Pathway – CNO Letter (20 April 2022) 

UPDATE: 25 MARCH 2022

Public Health advice is that we should remain at the third full stage of the Pathway – “Further Easing”.  Follow the link below for the full advice.

CNO Letter to Sector – Latest Review of Care Home Visiting Pathway

Visiting with Care – A Pathway (Update – 20 October 2021)

UPDATE: 21 MARCH 2022

The Beeches Residential Home Outbreak has been officially declared OVER by PHA. This means that visiting can resume as per the Pathway’s current stage.

UPDATE: 17 FEBRUARY 2022

The PHA has completed their latest formal review of data related to care home visiting. It is confirmed that we can now move to the third stage of the Pathway – “Further Easing”. Below are links to the DoH letter confirming this easement. This easing will take effect immediately.

There are now no restriction on the number of visitors per visit. Visitors may visit daily up to a maximum of 2 visits per day.

We will still require visitors to call and book their visit and we would encourage visitors to use masks and comply with our infection control procedures.

Please be aware that the Beeches Residential Home is currently in Outbreak. This means that visiting is suspended except for Care Partners and in exceptional circumstances.

The Beeches Nursing Home remains open to visitors as per the Pathway.

CNO Letter to Care Home Sector – 16 February 2022

UPDATE: 20 JANUARY 2022

The Beeches Nursing Home is no longer in Outbreak following confirmation by the PHA. Visiting can resume as per the current stage of the Pathway.

UPDATE: 14 JANUARY 2022

Public Health advice is that we should remain at the second full stage of the Pathway – “Gradual Easing”. The next 4-weekly review is due in early February.

14-01-2022 – Letter to CEs and DoNs, Trusts and Care Home Providers

UPDATE: 7 JANUARY 2022

As you are aware, the Omicron variant of the COVID virus is expected to peak this month. This has impacted our visiting arrangements.

Beeches Nursing Home is currently in Outbreak. This means that visiting is suspended except for Care Partners and in exceptional circumstances.

Beeches Residential Home is experiencing significant staff absences due to COVID. We would request that families consider each visit, the number of visitors and to discuss your visiting requirements with the person in charge if you have any concerns.

We are able to provide a supply of  Lateral Flow Testing (LFTs) kits for use by families seeking to visit a loved one, and we strongly encourage all visitors to take up this option and to complete an LFT on the day of their planned visit. You should contact the home to request kits.

Both services are able to offer virtual visiting as an alternative during this period.

We will continue to update you with any changes to the visiting status of our services as they occur.

UPDATE: 16 DECEMBER 2021

We have received official advice concerning visiting arrangements to care homes during this Christmas period. In summary, we remain at the Gradual Easing stage of the Pathway but homes will take a compassionate and person-centered approach to families wishing to visit over the Christmas period. For their part families are asked to carefully consider how best to use the visiting slots available during the Christmas period. It is also recommended that all those attending family gatherings, at which a care home resident will be present, should undertake Lateral Flow Testing (LFT) 24 hours prior to the event. LFT kits are available here. We would also encourage everyone to access the vaccine, including the booster programme as it rolls out.

Managers are available to discuss any concerns or questions you may have regarding visiting over Christmas.

Please note that all advice is subject to change as the public health situation develops. In the event of an outbreak being declared we are bound by the decisions of PHA regarding our management of the outbreak and the infection prevention and control measures required.

We wish you all a happy and safe Christmas.

Visiting with Care – Christmas 2021 Supplement – final

CNO Letter – Christmas 2021 Visiting Guidance

UPDATE: 12 NOVEMBER 2021

Public Health advice is that we should remain at the second full stage of the Pathway – “Gradual Easing”. There are no further changes to our visiting arrangements. Another 4 weekly review is due in early December. We will update you at this time.

CNO Letter to the sector 12 November 2021

UPDATE: 19 OCTOBER 2021

I am pleased to inform you that following the most recent PHA review of data related to care home visiting, it is confirmed that we can now move to the second stage of the Pathway – “Gradual Easing”. Below are links to the DoH letter confirming this easement, an updated version of the visiting guidance document “Visiting with Care – A Pathway” and our letter to confirm these changes.

In practical terms this means that from Wednesday 20th October all residents can have up to 4 visits per week with up to 4 people per visit (from no more than 2 households).

Visits must still be booked in advance and arrangements for care partners and trips out of the home remain unchanged. You should speak to your home manager to discuss any questions you may have regarding these changes.

Visiting with Care – A Pathway (Update – 20 October 2021)

Letter to Care Home Providers 19 October 2021

Beeches Visiting UPDATE5

UPDATE: 17 SEPTEMBER 2021

The PHA have completed their latest formal review and determined that it would not yet be appropriate to move forward to the second full stage – “Gradual Easing”. There are NO CHANGES to our visiting arrangements at this time.

A further review has been scheduled for early October.

We have been asked to circulate the summary of the review and a revised Care Partner leaflet. The links below will open copies of these documents.

Letter Re: Outcome of latest review of Visiting with Care

Care Partner Leaflet – updated 17/09/21

UPDATE: 16 AUGUST 2021

The PHA have completed their latest formal review and determined that it would not yet be appropriate to move forward to the second full stage – “Gradual Easing”. There are NO CHANGES to our visiting arrangements at this time.

A further review has been scheduled for early September.

UPDATE: 19 JULY 2021

The PHA have completed their latest formal review and determined that it would not yet be appropriate to move forward to the second full stage – “Gradual Easing”. There are NO CHANGES to our visiting arrangements at this time.

A further review has been scheduled to consider the relevant data up to and including 16 August and we expect to be able to issue a further update shortly thereafter.

UPDATE: 1 JULY 2021

The PHA formally reviewed visiting arrangements on 11 June and determined that it would not yet be appropriate to move forward to the second full stage – “Gradual Easing”. There are NO CHANGES to our visiting arrangements at this time.

A further review has been scheduled to consider the relevant data up to and including 9 July and we expect to be able to issue a further update shortly thereafter.

UPDATE: 3 June 2021

The PHA have announced a new relaxation to care home visiting arrangements effective immediately. All residents can now have 3 visits each per week with up to 2 visitors.

Visiting UPDATE4

The  fully updated document is available HERE and an updated summary is provided below for your information.

Visiting with Care – A Pathway Updated Summary

UPDATE: 12 May 2021 

The Public Health Agency have produced a user friendly version of the DoH “Visiting with Care – A Pathway” policy. The link below will open a copy of this document which summarises the key points and the timeline for return to normalised visiting arrangements in all Care Homes.

Visiting with Care – A Pathway

We are pleased to tell you that new visiting arrangements have been published by the Department of Health on 30 April in a document called “Visiting with Care – A Pathway“.

Please click on the link below to open a letter summarising the key changes to our visiting arrangements. The changes will be implemented this Friday, 7 May 2021.

Visiting UPDATE3

Management are always ready to discuss any concerns or questions you may have about these new arrangements and your personal circumstances. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.