Long awaited family reunions at Lancaster care home

There has been much careful planning and preparation for this moment by Barchester Healthcare, who run Laurel Bank care home, and at this point it is a limited and cautious approach, with not all residents being able to accept visitors, but only where it is believed to be safe.

Visitors must not have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 14 days, be showing any symptoms or be self-isolating.

Visitors may only access a designated outdoor area that does not require entry to the home, and are not permitted to enter the building for any reason.

Infection control protocols and social distancing are in place for every visit, including a hand sanitizer station.

Cleaning at Laurel Bank care home will take place after each visit to ensure chairs, seats, windows, hard surfaces including windowsills are wiped down appropriately.

The home would like to give a special thank you to Harvey at Ash Tree Marquees for making himself and his team available at short notice to erect a marquee in the garden, to allow visits to go ahead whatever the weather.

It was welcome news to so many residents, family and friends, who were kept apart for so long following strict government guidance.

Residents and their relatives enjoyed getting together in the home’s garden, and the garden was full of joy and chatter.

Lyndsay Scott, general manager at the home, said: “This has been a much welcomed development in what have been very strange times. The visits are well organised, and a lot of safety measures have been put in place to keep everyone safe. It was wonderful to see how happy it made the residents and their relatives.”

Susan, resident at Laurel Bank, said: “The staff here have been so wonderful teaching me how to use video calls so I could keep in touch with my family, but nothing beats seeing my family in real life. This was a special moment, and I was over the moon.”

Give Laurel Bank care home a call on 01524 388980 if you are looking for care or need any further help.

The home is also allowing a 90 minute ‘settling in’ visit for all new residents.

Laurel Bank Care Home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. Laurel Bank provides nursing, residential and respite care.