IMPORTANT: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) UPDATED 01/01/2021
Black Swan always prioritises the care and safety of our residents and staff.
Black Swan homes are well placed and prepared to respond to a range of viral outbreaks. We note that the guidelines in regard to best practice containment recommendations for COVID-19 are developing and changing daily.
Our response to the risk of exposure and treatment of COVID-19 is entirely based on the information and guidance materials issued and regularly updated by the Department of Health.
We will continue to work proactively and in partnership with the Department of Health, who is leading England’s response and developing recommendations for Aged Care providers.
Black Swan continues to assess the risk and take steps to prevent, detect and control the spread of infections.
What we are currently doing:
- Only admitting residents with a NEGATIVE COVID test into our homes
- Testing our staff for COVID weekly, the government has announced that we will be able to do this twice weekly from December
- Testing our residents for COVID monthly, the government has announced that we will be able to do this weekly from December
- Restricting unnecessary visitors to our homes
- Taking the temperatures of staff before they start work and any visitors
- Taking our Residents temperatures twice a day
- Asking anyone who has been to hospital to remain in their room for 14 days. We are then using masks, aprons and gloves whilst caring for them.
- Ensuring any Resident wishing to shield themselves, can do safely
- All care staff working inside our homes are wearing Type IIR fluid resistant masks as advised by Public Health England
- We are fogging our homes monthly with a product called Nordic Chem as an additional, supplementary measure, to our enhanced cleaning (we have been doing this since July). This chemical has a 30 day efficacy against coronavirus
We have made it clear to our managers that they must be open and honest at all times with family members to ensure that they remain well informed of what is happening within the home.
We made the decision to enable outside visiting and this has been facilitated since July 6th, with socially distanced visiting areas in the homes outdoor spaces to ensure our residents, staff and residents loved ones are safe and at the lowest possible risk. Each area has minimal surfaces to allow for a more sanitary environment and easier deep cleaning protocol between visits, alcohol hand gel is provided, and residents family members are required to wear masks for the duration of the visit.
We have now implemented secure indoor visiting areas which will be cleaned between visits, and kept separate from the rest of the home using screens. Outside visits are still our preferred option but we understand that the British weather can be unpredictable and cold. We are following all government guidance in relation to indoor visits, which includes currently only enabling one nominated person to be the designated indoor visitor. The government has announced that by the end of December residents will be able to have 2 nominated visitors who agree to twice weekly testing. We are supportive of this development and will be communicating updates with families once this is possible. Currently all our homes are in Tier 4 areas which do not permit indoors visits (except in exceptional circumstances). A full copy of our visiting policy has been shared with families.
We are also monitoring government guidance and adhering to advice based on local risk ratings.
*Please keep up to date with our goings on in the homes on the news page of our website*
Black Swan Care Group prides itself in putting residents’ needs and feelings first.
We have multiple care homes spread across East Anglia providing an expert care service for those who need it the most.
We offer an adaptable service; facilities are continually reviewed and updated in order to provide a safe environment in which the needs of every individual are met.
We work collaboratively with our residents; their input and involvement allow us to provide a care package tailored to suit their own unique and specific needs.
Our highly skilled staff are given the skills and confidence that they need in order to deliver the highest standards of care and support to every resident.
Every person matters and will be treated equally, compassionately and with the utmost respect & dignity.
Independence, choice and individuality are at the core of our values.
We cannot replace home, but that should never stop us trying.
Care Homes in East Anglia
We have many care homes throughout the East of England, including Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex and, Lincolnshire.
