Residents at RMBI Care Co. Home Barford Court, in Hove, were delighted to be able to meet their loved ones in person for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
The Home has opened its doors to family visits, following new guidance from the government, which allows each care home resident to receive visits from one family member or loved one.
One of the first residents to be reunited with her daughter in person is Rhoda Pemble. She said: “It was lovely to see my daughter in person once again and have her sit next to me.”
Rhoda’s daughter, Vanessa, said: “It was fantastic to see my mum after all this time and was so nice to sit with her without a glass screen between us. I always like coming into the Home and it was lovely to see my mum in such good spirits.
To ensure the health and safety of residents and staff at the care home, each visitor must undertake a lateral flow test before entering the Home and receive a negative result for Covid-19, before meeting their loved one in person. They must also wear suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), which includes gloves, apron and a mask.
Barford Court closed its doors to all but essential visitors before the first national lockdown last year to protect its residents and staff. Families have still been able to visit using the Home’s Covid-secure visitor pod, which opened last summer.
Staff have worked tirelessly to ensure residents have had regular contact with their families by phone or video calls. However, this is the first time residents have been able to meet in the same room as their loved one without a physical partition.
Home Manager, Deidre Johnson, said: “We have been waiting for this moment for a long time and are overjoyed to be able to reunite our residents safely with their loved ones in person. Throughout the pandemic, our staff have gone above and beyond to support our residents to stay connected with their loved ones, which is vital for their wellbeing.”
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