Last updated: 20th May 2020
Message from our Group Director of Nursing & Executive Lead for Infection, Prevention and Control
As the COVID-19 position continues to evolve, our teams remain focused on implementation of the latest guidance across all our services to ensure we provide the best possible care to the individuals we are supporting. Further to my previous update, I can confirm that our pandemic plans are fully operational and are subject to daily review to ensure their ongoing effectiveness.
24/7 operational leadership arrangements are in place and all services and colleagues have access to a dedicated helpline for any queries or requests for support. We are working to the national guidance on PPE published on 2nd April and subsequent updates, and our stocks are kept under daily review with clear lines of communication in place across the Group. We continue to work closely with the NHS and Public Health England to ensure adequate and appropriate stocks are maintained. All of our residents have access to testing as do our staff.
Our teams are in regular contact with key commissioners and are following national guidance related to the provision of information, including nationally-required reporting. On this basis, I regret that we’re unable to respond to requests for business continuity plans or general preparedness information. Instead, we are directing external stakeholders to the information contained on this webpage, which we continue to update on a regular basis. However, if your query relates to a specific individual placed at one of our services, please contact that location directly using the contact details available on this website and we will do whatever we can to assist.Kind regards,
Jane Stone
Group Director of Nursing & Executive Lead for Infection, Prevention and Control
Message from our Chief Operating Officer
During this time, I can only imagine how hard it is for you all not to see your loved ones. I too am unable to see my mother at present and won’t be able to for at least a few months. I want you to know that my number one priority is to keep your loved one safe.
I take extremely seriously the trust that you have put in me, my senior leadership team, the home managers and nursing/care colleagues. Every day we monitor each site to ensure that they have the correct supplies, how everyone is doing and various quality aspects. I am bowled over by the many creative ideas in keeping all of our residents upbeat and enjoying their lives at this time. The sacrifice and giving I have seen has just been amazing. We monitor for government guidance daily and enact it immediately. The teams are well trained in ensuring that infection prevention and control measures are maintained to the highest standard.
We have also set up ways for you to communicate with your loved ones, as we want to ensure you can still do this and be confident that they are safe. The Home Manager is there to answer any of your questions; please do get in touch and don’t worry about asking anything. We want you to be informed.
Finally, I would like to say that I hope you are keeping yourself safe and well. We will all get through this together. Please be assured I am working seven days a week to keep this commitment to you.
Rebekah Cresswell
Chief Operating Officer
Priory Adult Care
Visiting information
Each next of kin will have received a letter from me outlining our visitor arrangements at different stages. As you will appreciate, we are not accepting any visitors at this time and this is to safeguard your loved one. As soon as we are safely able to do so following government guidance, we will of course lift this to allow visiting, even if it is only in a limited way at the beginning.
Referrals
We understand that Commissioners and Care Management teams will continue to require accommodation and support for individuals, whose changing placement requirements may override the restriction of movement set out by the government. In particular this may include Residents facing home closure or a breakdown in their community placements. We will therefore continue to accept and review these referrals on a case-by-case basis, ensuring strict screening procedures.
Admissions
Where a decision has been made to admit a resident, please be assured that a thorough pre-admission checklist, which will include robust risk assessment, has been completed. This screening and assessment will take into consideration all relevant factors, such as the location the service user is coming from, their current health, potential exposure to COVID-19 and the current status of the Priory service into which they will be moving. All risk assessments will be signed off by a member of the senior leadership team, who are taking every possible step to ensure the continued safety of all residents and staff within the Priory.
Discharges
Likewise, in keeping with the ‘stay home’ agenda, discharges will not go ahead unless it is to their home to stay or it is the safest option for them to move to a different kind of setting during this time. For example, if someone becomes mentally unwell and needs a specific kind of treatment. It is our intention to follow government guidance and #StayHome.
It is important to us that Priory Adult Care is able to continue to support you and all of the residents during this time. We commit to do all that we can to ensure risks are managed and monitored, whilst continuing to facilitate placements, where all parties deem it safe.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Below you will find a helpful list of answers to the frequently asked questions (FAQs) we have been receiving at Priory Adult Care, regarding COVID-19.
We will be updating the information on a regular basis, therefore do revisit this website page. If you have any questions or specific placement enquiries, please do get in touch.