Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic The Huntercombe Group have been fully committed to making sure we keep all our residents, patients and staff as safe as possible.
During the full lockdown period in the first half of 2020, we followed Government advice and asked that (other than in exceptional cases) visitors, including family members, friends and other professionals did not visit any of our sites. We appreciated that it was particularly difficult for our patients and residents to be apart from their families and friends and we worked hard to support them to keep in touch with their families and friends using technology.
However, emerging evidence and guidance continues to evolve rapidly, and we have always been working in step with national guidance. Following a national easing of restrictions, the Government is taking a localised approach to restrictions dependent on the number of cases in any given area. We are taking a similar approach at The Huntercombe Group. As a baseline, all our sites will continue to take a rigorous approach to infection control and prevention and to monitor their footfall (e.g. by operating strict visiting and booking protocols, ensuring hand hygiene and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment). There may be circumstances when you are asked not to visit, for example if you have been in contact with someone who is symptomatic or have recently experienced symptoms yourself.
However, some of our sites may need to take further measures if there is a risk of transmission from areas with high infection rates, or if the Huntercombe site itself has patients / residents or staff who have tested positive, or where we have patients or residents who are extremely vulnerable.
Our staff continue to do all they can to ensure that life in our services remains as optimal as possible for everyone that we look after.
We really appreciate your support with these measures. We are, of course, closely following and complying with the Public Health authorities and all associated guidance to ensure that we keep our residents and patients safe and that our staff are supported to continue to deliver great care.
Dr Amlan Basu
FRCPsych
Medical Director
The Huntercombe Group
