Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Last Reviewed: Wednesday 01 April 2020

Key points:

• Our Care Homes are now closed to all visitors. They remain open to admissions.
• Our Extra Care Housing sites are now closed to all visitors and restaurants and communal areas are also closed until further notice.
• We are asking Housing tenants not to receive visitors unless they are delivering an essential service.
• We continue to provide care at home to our Community clients and will communicate any changes directly to clients.
• It may be necessary to make changes to our services, possibly at short notice, to help keep people safe.
• This page will be regularly updated.

For the latest Government advice, please visit:

• www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
• www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

Introduction

The safety and wellbeing of our customers and employees is our highest priority.

We want to reassure everyone we provide housing, care and support for that we are doing everything we can to help keep people safe.

Whilst we have contingency plans in place to ensure we can continue to provide care and support to those who need it, this is an evolving situation which may mean doing things differently or making changes at short notice.

Any decisions we make will be based on the latest Public Health and Government advice, which is updated daily.

This page will be regularly updated with new information.

Care Homes

All Care Homes, and our Orchard Grove Reablement Centre, are closed to all visitors until further notice. We remain open to admissions as social care plays a vital role in freeing up much needed NHS beds.

We have taken the decision to close to visitors based on the Government’s announcement that it will now take steps to shield the most vulnerable people in society.

We understand how important visiting is, both for families and for the wellbeing of residents, so we have given this decision careful consideration. However, we feel this is the right decision, at the right time, and will help us keep people safe.

If you have any concerns about your loved one, please contact your relevant Care Home Manager.

We will do our best to facilitate other ways to keep in touch, such as via telephone calls and video. We ask that, wherever possible, requests for calls are made between 9am and 5pm when we will have greater capacity to provide the necessary support.

Extra Care Housing and Woodland Court retirement village

We have made the decision to close our Extra Care Housing sites and Woodland Court retirement village to visitors. Those residents who have been advised by the Government to self-isolate are encouraged to comply fully with this advice and not leave the building.

In addition to this, and following Government advice on the closure of cafes, bars and restaurants, we have closed restaurants and communal areas at these sites. Instead, food can be ordered and delivered directly to residents’ apartments.

Community Services

Visits to our community clients continue. It may be necessary to make temporary changes to visits so we can ensure the needs of our most vulnerable clients are taken care of first.

We will keep clients fully informed.

Those aged over 70, and those with underlying health issues, should stay at home and avoid non-essential contact with others.

Housing

We have already closed communal areas at Housing sites and we are now issuing further guidance to ask tenants not to receive visitors unless they are delivering an essential service.

Your home is secure

No-one will lose their home as a result of Coronavirus.

If you are a Brunelcare housing tenant, and you are worried about paying your rent or other bills because of Coronavirus or the need to self-isolate, please rest assured that your home is secure.

We would encourage anyone with concerns about money to contact a member of our team to discuss them.

Repairs

Repairs and contractor visits will be limited to emergency and health and safety issues only. This includes:

Brunelcare’s controlled distance process

Other measures

Volunteering

We are exploring how we can mobilise volunteers to support our work during this time. If you would like to offer assistance, please email info@brunelcare.org.uk

Media enquiries

All enquiries from media/press should be directed to:

Matthew Bell, Marketing and Business Development Director

matthew.bell@brunelcare.org.uk or 07467 482 931

More information

If you have any concerns about visiting a Brunelcare site, or about a loved one, please contact the management team at that location.

If in doubt, email: info@brunelcare.org.uk or call 0117 914 4200.

Voluntary and Paid Opportunities

Now more than ever we welcome your support. Join us and help us continue to provide outstanding care for our clients.

Apply for our vital roles in response to Coronavirus.

Find out more about our voluntary opportunities.