Visiting no longer permitted at care homes

Visiting can no longer take place at care homes operated by Orkney Health and Care in response to the strengthening of nationwide measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Friends and relatives are instead being encouraged to stay in touch with residents via phone or digital means such as video messaging, text messaging and social media.

“This exceptional step hasn’t been taken lightly and reflects the gravity of the situation we all face,” said Lynda Bradford, OHAC’s interim Head of Health and Community Care.

“The health, well-being and safety of everyone in our care homes is of the utmost importance to us and our primary objective is to keep the vulnerable older people in our care – and our staff as – safe as possible.”

Supported accommodation

OHAC is strongly advising relatives and friends not to visit tenants in supported accommodation because of the coronavirus risk and to keep in touch by other means.

Respite care

The new national coronavirus measures mean that planned respite care has had to be cancelled.

Services for people with learning disabilities

They also require OHAC to close the St Colm’s and the Lifestyles day facilities until further notice.

An OHAC spokesman added: “We are sorry about the inconvenience this and the other steps we’re taking will cause – but these are important steps in helping to minimise the risk of infection by the virus.”