Covid-19 aware

Led by the Executive Team, a central team of senior staff oversee our Covid-19 Response Plan. They work closely with our local Health teams, Local Authorities and Public Health England (PHE). Government advice on best practice during this outbreak has been constantly evolving and our Covid-19 response team have been quick to react, implementing new measures and guidance with the urgency that such a situation demands.

We have robust contingency measures in place, and homes are receiving regular information and updates.

With the announcement by the Government of an end to all remaining Covid legal restrictions in England, we'd like to clarify that though the legal requirements have been removed, the current guidance from the Department for Health and Social care is that certain restrictions remain in Adult Social Care settings.

Q Club Day Services

All of our Our Q Clubs are now open with the exception of Fosse House in St Albans. For more information on Q Clubs local to you, please contact our central team on 01707 393292 or call your local home directly.

Life in our homes

The safety and quality of life of your loved one has always been our primary concern. Despite the situation around us, you can rest assured that the day to day life within our homes continues as normally as possible, with close attention to infection control measures and following all the latest Government and PHE guidance. Appropriate entertainment and activities, excellent meals and hydration, quality care are all delivered as usual. The Quantum Care team would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all the wonderful support and understanding that we have received from so many relatives and loved ones of the residents we are privileged to care for.

Our staff team

We are constantly reviewing the latest guidance from the government and Public Health England to ensure that our colleagues have the skills, knowledge and equipment to provide the best possible care for our residents. Looking after the safety, health and wellbeing of our residents and our colleagues has always been the most important factor in the running of our homes, and that continues to be so.

We are truly humbled by the sheer determination and passion that our colleagues show each and every day. On an individual basis and working as teams right across our homes, they make us incredibly proud.

Hygiene in our homes

All of our teams are trained to the highest standard in Infection Control Measures. They are following enhanced hygiene procedures within the home, including guidance from PHE which states that regular and stringent handwashing for everyone, alongside the use of Personal Protective Equipment at all times, is of vital importance in the prevention and control of infections. We are also making sure that everybody in the homes understands the signs and symptoms of Covid-19 to enable them to carry out rigorous and regular surveillance.

Our housekeeping teams are also playing a key role. They are ensuring that our homes are kept thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, paying particular attention to frequently touched surfaces and objects.

Maintaining Health and Wellbeing

In addition to following all the latest Government guidance, at Quantum Care we have implemented extra measures to ensure we are providing a safe environment for residents and colleagues. All residents in our homes are having their health and wellbeing checked regularly to allow for early detection if somebody is unwell. Our staff teams are also undergoing regular Covid-19 tests.

All of our colleagues have access to the full range of Personal Protective Equipment as set out in the guidance we receive from Public Health England. With enhanced health checks and excellent standards of personal and environmental hygiene, we are working hard to keep your loved ones as safe and healthy as we can.

Rest Assured...

We are doing everything possible to ensure that life in our homes is as normal and safe as possible. A massive thank you goes out to all our families, friends, colleagues and residents for your ongoing support. We really appreciate it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you operate visits to the home?

In order to ensure that all visits are managed in the safest way possible we ask that you contact the home prior to visiting. They will be able to describe our visiting process in detail to you. 

The following general principles will help you to plan your visit: 

• All visitors must wear a mask, which will be provided by the home, and complete a health screening form
• There are  protocols in place to maintain the health and welfare of all concerned, including the wearing of Personal Protective Equipment at all times. This equipment can be provided by the home.
• You will be asked to wash your hands or apply hand sanitiser on arrival at the home, and again when you leave
• If there is an outbreak in the home, visitor numbers will be restricted to one visitor per resident at any one time.
• Visitors providing personal care to a resident will be required to pass a Lateral Flow test on the day of the visit. They will also be required to wear gloves and an apron, as well as a mask. Personal care includes supporting a resident to eat or drink.
• Visitors should not enter the care home if they are feeling unwell, even if they have tested negative for Covid-19, are fully vaccinated and have received their booster.

We appreciate your continued support through strict adherence to these procedures to ensure that our residents, colleagues and you are protected as far as possible.

As always, the health and welfare of residents, colleagues and visitors remain our top priority. Thank you for your continued support and patience during these difficult times.

How are trips out of the home being carried out?

When taking trips out of the care home, residents and their friends/families should manage risks by: 

• Avoiding visits that involve mixing with a large number of people
• Avoiding visiting people they do not usually spend time with regularly
• Asking those they are visiting to have had their full Covid-19 vaccinations, including their booster if eligible
• If you are planning to transport your loved one in your personal car, then please sanitise before they get into the vehicle
• The use of public transport should be avoided if possible

How are residents being kept active?

Our activities and entertainment teams continue to run a regular schedule of daily activities to help keep our residents active, entertained and engaged. We are also making good use of our gardens, weather permitting, to ensure that residents have safe access to fresh air and outdoor exercise. We also organise trips out of the home.

Do you have adequate supplies of Personal Protective Equipment?

There has been much attention in the media during the pandemic about homes having no access to Personal Protective Equipment. We want to reassure you that all our colleagues have access to the full range of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment as set out in the guidance we receive from Public Health England. We have been working hard to secure adequate stocks and continue to have supplies delivered.

Do you have adequate staffing levels?

We want to pay tribute to our wonderful dedicated colleagues who continue to provide love, care and support to our residents during this difficult time. Our brilliant staff teams remain strong and we are continuing to successfully recruit new colleagues during this time.

What happens if my loved one develops Covid-19?

If a resident develops the symptoms or tests positive for Covid-19, they will immediately be isolated within their room to allow us to complete the period of isolation advised by the UK Government. Our main priority is to provide care for the resident concerned as well as protecting staff and other residents from contracting the illness.

We will follow the strict protocols for the care and support of individuals with Covid-19, in line with all the latest Government guidance, including the use of full PPE for staff at all times. We will continue to closely monitor the resident and will seek further medical assistance where necessary.

We will inform the nominated Next of Kin immediately if their loved one becomes unwell and will provide regular updates on their health and wellbeing.

If you are worried about your loved one, then you can contact the Home Manager or a member of the Home’s Senior Team at any time

Are you admitting new residents to the home?

We are accepting new admissions into our care homes for those people whose care needs can no longer be met at home or in hospital. In doing so, the health and wellbeing of current residents remains our top priority, and we have therefore placed strict criteria on any new admissions which include the screening all admissions to ensure that they are not displaying symptoms of Covid-19, have not been in contact with anybody who is confirmed or suspected of having Covid-19 and have tested negative for Covid-19 for a period prior to their planned admission.

For further information on new admissions, you can contact your local home directly, or call our central team on 01707 393293.

Have any of the homes been affected by Covid-19?

We are deeply saddened that some of our homes have been impacted by Covid-19 and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with all those who have been affected by this illness.

If Covid-19 is confirmed or suspected in one of our homes, our relatives will be informed and updated regularly by the local teams. We understand that this has been an extremely difficult time for everybody and how hard it has been for those of you who have been unable to comfort your loved ones during this time. While we can never replace the love of relatives and friends, please know that our staff teams will continue to support and care for all our residents to the very best of our ability. 

We continue to work closely with our Local Authority and Health teams, and we are following all Government and Public Health England advice in relation to infection protection and control. We also want to assure you that we are continuing to do everything in our power to keep life as normal and enjoyable for residents as possible. 

If you have any concerns at all, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Home Manager.