Virtual Care Home Engagement Project

Healthwatch North Lincolnshire, Healthwatch North East Lincolnshire, Healthwatch Kingston upon Hull and Healthwatch East Riding of Yorkshire undertook a programme of virtual engagement with care home residents and staff to understand how the Covid-19 pandemic had affected them. Altogether, they engaged with 11 managers, 100 staff, 62 relatives and friends and 70 residents.

Care home staff and Management teams have had to adapt to an ever changing and extremely challenging situation and should be applauded for their efforts in keeping residents safe during the pandemic.

Generally, care homes have felt well supported their local authorities and CCGs, however at times have felt overwhelmed and unsure of how to apply national guidance. This has led to an inconsistent approach to applying visiting restrictions and social distancing measures across the Humber region, which has had an impact on the wellbeing of residents.

The pandemic has really highlighted the importance of relatives as not only visitors, but as an important part of their loved ones’ care. The absence of usual visiting practices has meant that care staff have needed to attempt to fill this gap, as well as carrying out extra duties such as testing, and enhanced cross infection procedures. Although the visits did not highlight any poor care or areas of concern, there appeared to be a lack of time to be able to dedicate to ensuring residents do not feel lonely and are able to interact with others.