Coronavirus Updates
Our Current Visiting Guidelines
Visiting is a central part of care home life. It is crucially important for maintaining the health, wellbeing and quality of life of residents. Visiting is also vital for family and friends to maintain contact and life-long relationships with their loved ones which contributes to their support and care.
Here at St. Mary’s, we are continuing with our booking system for visiting so that we can manage numbers effectively and minimise risk. Please contact our Activities staff if you would like to arrange a visit.
All visitors should test using a rapid lateral flow device test kit on the day of the visit, in line with our infection control measures and visiting policy. We also request that anyone who is aware that they have been in contact with someone who has tested positive does not visit for ten days following the contact, except in exceptional circumstances.
Vaccinations
We are delighted that all our residents have received both vaccination doses. We work closely with the Stafford Health and Wellbeing team to ensure new residents are provided with the opportunity to be fully vaccinated.
We also believe that it is vitally important for our staff to be vaccinated to protect both themselves and our residents, to who we have a duty of care. We are delighted that over 99% of our staff have received both vaccination doses
PCR and LFD tests - Protecting Our Residents
We are testing both residents, staff and visitors on a regular basis. Each member of staff is required to complete one PCR test every seven days and two lateral flow tests each week.
Whilst it is recognised that the lateral flow tests are not as accurate, in conjunction with the PCR tests, they are an added preventative measure that can help with infection control.
PPE - Personal Protective Equipment
All our staff continue to wear the appropriate PPE, to undertake their duties, in conjunction with following our infection control policy and government guidelines.
