We are reassuring our clients and their families that our care staff are following the latest Government and Public Health England (PHE) coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance.
We employ more than 1500 frontline care staff across England. They provide care in people’s homes (through home care and live-in care) and in extra care and nursing homes.
High standards of hygiene from our care staff
Our Managing Director Nicola Mewse said:
The number of people who have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK is increasing and Hales will always take our caring responsibilities extremely seriously. We are keeping fully up-to-date with official advice, making sure that all our staff understand and follow the very latest COVID-19 guidance for social or community care and residential settings.
In the guidance, Public Health England (PHE) recommend that the best way to reduce any risk of infection is good hand and respiratory hygiene and avoiding direct or close contact (within 2 metres) with any potentially infected person. Our care and support staff always maintain high standards of hygiene and follow robust infection control guidelines, but given that we care for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, during this outbreak we expect them to be extra vigilant about hand-washing, coughs and sneezes, and keeping clients’ homes and our care schemes clean. The wellbeing of our clients and staff is our highest priority.
Policies and procedures in place
We are monitoring all our services and receiving regular updates from managers and staff on their well-being and that of the people they support. For any who have been advised to self isolate we are supporting them to live safely and comfortably, and arranging essential shopping/deliveries to them. We would like to reassure people that we have robust policies and procedures in place, including business continuity and contingency planning with our public sector health and social care partners, as underlined in the Department of Health’s coronavirus action plan published on 3 March.
According to PHE in normal day-to-day activities facemasks do not provide protection from respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19. PHE recommends that facemasks should be worn by infected individuals only when advised by a healthcare worker (to reduce the risk of transmitting the infection to other people) and not routinely by care staff. However, we have adequate stocks of all PPE including gloves, aprons and masks for this purpose. Upon receipt of additional supplies which are reported to be on their way from Department of Health, we are providing facemasks to our staff to offer further reassurance to service users that fall into the most high risk categories.
General coronavirus hygiene principles
The general hygiene principles everyone should be following include:
- Washing your hands often – with soap and water (or using alcohol sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol if handwashing facilities are not available) – this is particularly important after taking public transport
- Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in a bin
- Employees washing their hands:
- before leaving home
- on arrival at work
- after using the toilet
- after breaks and sporting activities
- before food preparation
- before eating any food, including snacks
- before leaving work
- on arrival at home
- before and after any care activity with clients
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently-touched objects and surfaces
COVID-19 (coronavirus) frequently-asked questions
Q. I am reliant on my Hales Home Care workers, what will happen if the virus spreads and they are no longer able to come?
A. Hales Home Care has Business Continuity Plans in place to cover emergencies such as a viral outbreak or pandemic. All Hales Home Care Care and support staff follow strict infection, prevention and control guidelines. Inter-office/care scheme support networks give flexibility in terms of severe lack of staff in any one service; bank staff and, if necessary, agency workers and appropriate volunteers will be utilised. Off-duty staff may be asked to provide cover at short notice if they are available.All relevant employment protection regulations which may alter at short notice subject to government advice considering the current Covid-19 outbreak would be complied with, relating to the number of hours worked within a specified period and breaks between periods of working. People who are reliant on the service are prioritised for home visits, where others have family who can support them in the interim or non-essential visits are made such as a weekly shopping call for instance. We are providing additional services for the most vulnerable to ensure they maintain access to medication and food/nutrition.
We would ask that service users and their families recognise the challenges our teams are under and show flexibility in relation to the times of visits and the care team supporting them. We cannot accommodate preferences during this time.
Q. Can I still visit my relative?
A. Hales Home Care extra care schemes are taking advice from local Health Protection Agencies regarding restrictions & closure of schemes to visitors. At the time of writing, all schemes are now closed to all but essential visits. You may still drop parcels and provisions with our staff who will support your family member to put things away.We are reassuring all service users and their families that there are lots of ways to keep in touch whilst we discourage visits in person.
If you do decide to continue to visit your family member during this pandemic we are now asking that you carry out the care duties during those visits where possible in order to minimise risk to our care staff. Please get in contact with your local branch to discuss how you can help us to keep everyone safe.
Q. Can we ask staff or service users/families to disclose where they have travelled or are planning to go to on holiday?
A. Whilst most people have now cancelled all travel plans we can ask people to voluntarily disclose their destination, however people have a basic human right to a private and family life both in and out of the workplace.Given the travel restrictions now in place worldwide and the increasing volume of Covid-19 cases in the UK we are working with staff to minimise absence through annual leave and restrict travel of staff between branches to further reduce the risk of spreading infection.
Q. I am a carer for someone I don’t live with; what can I do to support them?
A. Create an emergency plan for you and those you look after. Include the cared-for person’s name, address and contact details, details of other family carers and who can be contacted in an emergency, plus details of any medication the cared-for person requires. Sign up for prescription delivery services and arrange support for grocery delivery or alternative shopping.If you live with those you care for and you think you’ve been in close contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus, call 111 for advice as soon as possible and tell them that you are a carer; they will advise on support for you and the cared-for person.
Q. How is the virus spread?
A. The coronaviruses are spread from someone infected to other close contacts through contaminated droplets spread by coughing or sneezing, or by contact with contaminated hands, surfaces or objects. The time between being exposed to the virus and when symptoms first appear is typically 5 to 6 days although can be from 2 to 14 days. This is why people who might have been in contact with a confirmed case are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days.
Q. How can I protect myself / my family?
A. The best way to protect yourself is the same as you would against any respiratory infection. Practise good hygiene by: - making sure to clean your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub
- cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or a flexed elbow
- avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms
- make sure you stay home if you are sick & practice the Government guidance on social distancing