Kepplegate care home in Preesall is pioneering self-distanced family visits by offering weekly Covid-19 tests

The Kepplegate home on Sandy Lane in Preesall are allowing their residents to be with loved ones due to offering routine Covid-19 tests to family members.

The home, which has allowed socially distanced visits inside since July, has not had a single case of coronavirus since the pandemic began and care quality manager Adam Purnell said it has been ‘working wonders’ with both residents, families and staff.

Adam, who featured on ITV’s Good Morning Britain television show yesterday morning, said that the successful experience has been able to demonstrate how thousands of care homes across the country should be able to have access to rapid lateral-flow tests, which can give results within minutes.

He said: “The result of our residents being able to see and talk to their loved ones in person has been completely invaluable.

“There really is no way you could put a price on what it means to them and when you see their faces light up , the smiles on their faces say it all.

“The fact that we have not had a single Covid case within our care home building really does show that it can work and because all of our visits are carefully managed and we decontaminate all areas.

“The majority of our visits are still socially distanced, unless a resident is coming to the end of life.

“Because of the results we have seen and what it means to our residents, I don’t believe any of these visits pose any infection risk.

“During the first wave of the virus, the outbreaks were not because of visitors but through hospitals sending Covid-positive patients back into care homes.”

The Covid tests were introduced at the home at the beginning of October and Adam said the routing weekly testing to relatives have made a “huge difference” and they feel more comfortable coming to visit relatives without the fear they may be carrying the virus.

Adam has also been planning to implement rapid testing by Christmas to hopefully allow relatives to hug and hold hands.

He said: “I find it really heartbreaking that my colleagues and I are allowed to give one of the residents a hug but government guidelines mean their sons or daughters are not able to.

“We know that the rapid tests are efficient and the benefits of having a test there and then is absolutely priceless.

“The Government is trialling the use of rapid tests in other areas, like the one in Liverpool so I don’t see how or why they have not rolled out the tests across the country’s care homes where they are needed more than a lot of other places.

“All of the staff have been phenomenal including care home manager Lilia Higginson who has hardly missed a day throughout the pandemic and gives everything to make the lives of the residents better."

Adam said the reaction from families has been ‘superb’ and that they remain a vital part of the care home.

He said: “The families and friends of our residents play a heavy presence within our social media and we love to receive their feedback.

“Some of the comments we have had have been really touching and some have said how the visits have been really invaluable for both themselves and their relatives in the care home.

“We can’t supply the same sort of care that a relative or friend can with the memories they have.”

Adam said that some people queried how it was possible during the Tier 3 lockdown regulations, but his response has been that everything has been within the regulations.

He said: “There has been no blanket ban at all on visiting so we have still offered it.

“It can be used for special and exceptional circumstances, for example the wellbeing of someone.

“At Kepplegate we are not going to be reactive and stop all the residents seeing their relatives if it is going cause them harm.” Last month, resident Audrey (left) turned 90 and she was able to still celebrate in style despite the restrictions.

A spokesman for Kepplegate said: “Unfortunately due to the current lockdown situation we were not able to celebrate the way that we had hoped but that still didn’t stop us from celebrating this extra special birthday.

“Audrey was treated to lots of presents and cards and she also had a socially distanced visit from her family and a dance with Lilia and the team.

“She even watched and extra special video from all of her family and enjoyed lots of cake and treats.”

Following the mini party, Audrey’s daughter Shelley said : “So glad Kepplegate were able to make her birthday so special in the current climate.

“I am so grateful that we were able to have a socially distanced visit this morning.

“It looks like mum has had a really good day and will have enjoyed every minute of it, especially the dancing.”

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