Care homes during COVID 19

This report presents the experiences of 35 care home residents and their relatives, and 57 care home staff, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham used surveys to gather these experiences.

This report is an independent evaluation of the experience of people using and working in care homes on Barking during the height of the pandemic.

Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham found that communicating clearly with residents and their families about policies and procedures to ensure continued health of residents, reassured residents and their families. Also important was enabling care home residents to communicate with loved ones and establishing guidelines for safe visits. Hospital discharge was an issue for care home staff and relatives of residents, as was access to PPE for staff.

Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham made a number of recommendations in this report.