Council confirms changes for care home visits

Bridgend County Borough Council has confirmed that it is making temporary changes to visiting arrangements at local care homes.

Following advice from the Public Health Director of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and an increase in the number of positive Covid-19 cases across South Wales, the changes are being introduced at all local authority and privately-run care homes as a precautionary measure to protect the health and well-being of vulnerable residents and staff.

In line with similar arrangements that have already been established in several neighbouring local authority areas, the changes will mean that until further notice, friends and family members will no longer be able to enter a care home to visit a loved one.

Instead, visits will need to be pre-arranged using the outdoor areas of residential buildings while observing social distancing and hand-hygiene requirements. Virtual and online visits will also be encouraged, and allowances will be made in circumstances where residents are nearing the end of their lives and with appropriate PPE requirements in place.

The changes, which will be regularly reviewed, have been shared with all local independent care homes to ensure a consistent approach can be maintained. 

The coronavirus pandemic is far from over, and with cases increasing throughout the region, we are taking action now in line with latest advice to protect the health and well-being of our care home residents and the staff who do such a good job of looking after them.

I hope that everyone can appreciate the need to introduce these temporary measures, and that you will support us in helping to keep people safe.

The council and its partners will be reviewing the situation regularly, and will seek to return visiting arrangements to normal again as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.

Council Leader Huw David