Hampshire care homes take part in Covid testing scheme pilot

Care home residents in Hampshire are able to see their loved ones more regularly, as care homes across the county take part in a new Covid testing scheme.

One family member or friend per resident can get tested regularly to enable indoor visits without a screen to take place.

The pilot launched on 16 November and is being combined with other infection-control measures, such as PPE

Visitors will either be offered an at-home test or the new 30-minute lateral flow test.

Care home residents have already been very isolated because of the pandemic, and some have even passed away without being able to see their loved ones again first.

A woman, who wants to remain anonymous, was not able to see her grandmother, who was in a care home, before she passed away.

She told WINOL: “It was definitely sad, especially knowing that she was alone for the last strech of her life and was very confused.

“I think there would’ve been a chance that she would have recovered more instead of going downhill had we been able to visit her.

“We did send in cards which we heard just made her really upset because she said she would never see me and my siblings again.”

Around 20 care homes in Hampshire, Cornwall and Devon are taking part in the pilot.

Councillor Liz Fairhurst, executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health said: “We are delighted to be taking part in this innovative pilot which is going to help residents to receive visits from their loved ones more regularly and with the added reassurance, whilst also paving the way for a wider roll out of this approach nationally.”

The pilot aims to further develop the evidence base for mass testing with fast, reliable COVID-19 tests.

If the pilot is successful care home testing will be rolled out across the country.

Helen Whately, Minister for Care said: “As Christmas approaches, I want to bring an end to the pain of separation and help care homes bring families and loved ones together. The launch of visitor testing is a crucial step to making that happen.”