Coronavirus forces Bonnybridge care home to suspend visits to residents

Elderly care home residents will not be able to see loved ones in person for “until future notice” as staff suspend all “non-essential visits” to the premises.
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Earlier today Balhousie Care Group announced it was denying access to Wheatlands Care Home, in Larbert Road, Bonnybridge, to all non-essential visitors – meaning relatives and friends of residents.

A spokesperson for Balhousie said: “As you know the health and safety of our residents is of the utmost importance to us. In light of the current situation regarding coronavirus and the daily changes to the government guidelines, we feel it is important for us to protect our residents and minimise the risk to them as much as possible.

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“For this reason, all non-essential visits to the care home are now suspended until further notice. We have not taken this decision lightly and appreciate this may cause some concern, but feel this is a necessary step to take.

Wheatlands Care Home has suspended all non-essential visits in response to the coronavirusWheatlands Care Home has suspended all non-essential visits in response to the coronavirus
Wheatlands Care Home has suspended all non-essential visits in response to the coronavirus

“We have consulted with Public Health Scotland who are supportive of these measures. Please be reassured that essential services, including medical assistance, will continue as normal.

“Our staff will be doing all the can to ensure that home life continues as normal with activities within the home.”

Balhousie added it was continuing its robust infection control practices and encouraging “increased interactivity” via social media and video calls in order for loved ones to maintain some kind of contact with residents.

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“We have excellent lines of communication between residents and their relatives and friends, including private Facebook groups, video and Skype calling, social media, and newsletters. We know our care homes will maximise these channels in order to ensure that residents’ contact with family and friends is maintained.

“We are issuing our homes with additional iPads in order to help this happen.”

A relative of a Wheatlands resident, who did not want to be named, stated: “It will be heartbreaking not to see my mother, but I can understand completely why the home has done this.”