Update for visiting at Springhill following Government guidance

As you may be aware, the Scottish Government has made changes to its “Open with Care” visiting guidance for care homes. The changes are designed to ‘normalise visiting’ and encourage more homes to further relax restrictions as mainland Scotland entered level zero.

Some of the main changes are in relation to visitors being able to test at home. Visitors who can show proof of a negative test for Covid can continue their visit without delay.  Removing the 30-minute wait for test results at the home will help increase the number of visits that can be scheduled.

At Springhill, we understand visiting is crucially important for maintaining the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of our residents. We appreciate how welcome these changes will be to our residents’ friends and family and we are really looking forward to seeing even more reunions and enabling precious moments shared together.

To continue to keep everyone safe, we have outlined some of the main changes to visiting below as well as how these will be implemented at Springhill.

Please note that visits will still need to be booked in advance. To arrange a visit please visit our website at https://www.silverlinecare.com/our-homes/scotland/springhill-kilmarnock/ and clicking, ‘contact the home’.

Or call Springhill directly on: 01563 573 356.

Normalising Visiting

  • Designated visitors are now not recommended as necessary.
  • From 19th July physical distancing is recommended to reduce to 1m indoors. Therefore, 2 people can visit indoors if socially distanced within the bedroom.
  • Masks can be removed indoors to enjoy refreshments with the person you are visiting
  • Gifts do not need to be quarantined – will continue to be wiped clean where necessary
  • Physical distance removed in all groups of 15 people or less (mask-wearing no longer recommended outdoors).
  • Up to 15 people from 15 households can meet outdoors.
  • No limit to the number of outings away from the care home

 

Testing

  • Visitors can test at home prior to coming to the care home. Access to a smartphone or tablet is required to register results online at:

https://nhsnss.service-now.com/covidtesting

  • Visitors can access testing kits and information at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested/pages/no-covid-symptoms/
  • Visitors can ring 119 or order online for home delivery or tests can be collected from the Covid-19 testing centres or picked up from local pharmacies.
  • Test should take place on the same day as the visit to the home. Proof of a negative test confirming the date of test should be shown prior to visit
  • By moving to visitor testing prior to arriving at the care home we can begin to facilitate increased visits per week.
  • When booking a visit, you may be asked if testing will be carried out prior to the visit to reduce waiting times and help visits operate more smoothly.

 

Yours sincerely,

Karen McGuffie

Manager, Springhill Care Home