The CEO of Sears Healthcare, which runs Millway House nursing home in Andover, has welcomed the news that covid restrictions on social care will be eased from Monday.
The government has announced that from Monday 31st January, there will no longer be a limit on the number of visitors allowed at care homes, self-isolation periods will be cut, and care homes will only have to follow outbreak management rules for 14 days, not 28.
Richard Adams, Sears Healthcare CEO, has said the change in law is the news that residents and staff alike have been waiting for.
He said: “With residents now able to see friends and family as they please, the positive effect they receive from human contact, can now be reintroduced.
“The mental health and wellbeing of all our residents and staff is our utmost priority, and after what has been a very challenging two years, this ease of restrictions is welcome news.”
Richard goes on to say that for those living with dementia especially, contact with others for their mental wellbeing, as well as to maintain life skills, is paramount.
He added: “Social and emotional connections have huge benefits to our mental health, and this is vital for those living with dementia, assisting to reduce anxiety and depression, as well as supporting cognition, speech, and memory.”
The care home leader also highlights the need for a period of adjustment however and is ensuring other measures stay in place for the time being.
He said: “All our staff will continue to use PPE and will still be taking lateral flow tests before their shifts.
“This is likely to be the next thing to be changed in the near future, but it is sensible to take things step by step as we look to put a difficult couple of years behind us.”
Next week’s ease of restrictions in care homes is the latest rolling back of Plan B curbs in England.
Based in Newbury, Sears Healthcare runs Millway House in Andover, along with Durban House in Romsey and Bournemouth’s Muscliff Care Home.
The care home provider ensures its homes provide compassionate, person-centred care, providing its residents with opportunities to thrive.
Situated on the outskirts of Weyhill near Andover, Millway House offers excellent accommodation for nursing, dementia and end of life care.
For more information, visit www.millwayhouse.co.uk.
