An engagement exercise into lived experience in residential homes through the Coronavirus pandemic in Southampton

Healthwatch Southampton aimed to explore how Coronavirus (Covid-19) has impacted care homes within Southampton, because care homes have been described as being one of the services most affected by Coronavirus in the UK (Alzheimer’s Society, 2021). They sought to do this through public engagement. The latter involved care homeowners, managers and staff, carers, residents, families and friends.

Perspectives were gained through focus groups, over Zoom, with care homeowners, managers and staff. Interviews were conducted with residents and, finally, there was an online survey with the relatives, unpaid carers and friends of the residents.

The research represents the views of >16 people, over a 4 month period.

The recommendations based on these findings are:

• More advertisement and awareness of the support available for the staff that have worked through the pandemic. This recommendation is due to the fact that throughout the focus groups/interviews many sensitive topics were discussed. Due to this, Healthwatch Southampton believes it is important that all members of the community have information about where and how to access mental health support.
• The Government restrictions should be made known to the care homes before the public. This would allow more time for social distancing restrictions and measures to be put into place before the public is informed. It would mean less stress and pressure placed on to the staff and care homes.
• Continuing the strong use of partnership working. Many healthcare professionals thought that this was a positive side to coming out of a pandemic.
• If a pandemic was to re-occur there needs to be more recognition and support available to unpaid carers. Our results show that they need more support and help to be able to maintain their mental wellbeing and be able to care for their relative as well as possible.
• Residents need to have an easy read version document available with regulations and the pandemic. This would allow the residents to have an accessible choice about whether they wish to be able to read the restrictions. It would also promote more independence.
• If possible, there needs to be more privacy in the designated rooms for the residents to be able to catch up with their family members. This would allow the residents to adhere to the guidelines but also have a private area in which to engage with their guests after a long absence.