COVID-19 newsletter

We are sure you will agree we have all been through and continue to face challenging and very worrying times.

We are extremely proud, that throughout the pandemic, everybody continues to work together with the aim of providing the highest standards of care and keeping our residents safe, cared for and reassured.

In the early days of COVID, the staff at Tollesby Hall were very quick to instigate isolation procedures, strict lockdown to all visitors other than emergencies and increased Infection Control measures. This very quick action we are sure you will agree was the right thing to do to keep our residents safe.

Following government guidelines, last week, with consent, the majority of our residents were tested, and we are pleased to be able to confirm that the results were 100% COVID negative. Tests will be repeated every four weeks and staff will be tested weekly. Let’s hope we can continue with this positive outcome.

Visitors

Visiting will continue by social distancing outside. In the event of poor weather, visits will take place in our Conservatory.

Close relatives of residents who are at the end of their lives will be permitted to come into the home, will have to wear PPE and will have to remain in the room with their loved ones. We will of course continue to provide hospitality including meals and we encourage you to ask for whatever you need. Appointment based visiting will have to continue until further notice as our priority is to keep everybody as safe as possible.

Keeping in touch

For those residents who are unable to go outside and for families who find it difficult to visit we continue to provide various methods for communicating, ie WhatsApp, Skype and good old fashioned phone calls.

If you would like to arrange one of the above please do not hesitate to give us a call and we will arrange a date and time.

GP alignment to care home scheme

As most of you will be aware by now the local CCG is launching the new model of GP Alignment to Care Homes. We are delighted to confirm that our aligned GP Practice is to be Newlands Medical Centre.

For those residents who have agreed to transfer the process of registration is already taking place. This alignment will we hope lead to closer professional working relationships and continuity of care for our residents. Some residents, understandably so, do wish to remain with their family GP, and this arrangement will continue. If there are to be any changes, we will let you know. Also, if you change your mind and want to change let us know.

EMARS – Electronic Medication Administration Record System

Janet (home manager) and Lindsey (clinical lead) have been working very hard behind the scenes to introduce electronic administration record system. With effect from Friday, 24th July 2020 all medications will be recorded on our EMAR system this should result in a streamlined process for ordering and recording of all medication.

Private podiatrist and dentist

Our podiatrist, Lucy and dentist, Mr Powers will be commencing visits to the home, in the near future. Costs for podiatry will remain the same £13.50 per person. No news on Angela, our resident hairdresser yet but in the meantime, Kathryn will continue to do her best for everyone with the help of care staff.

Improvement plan

Taking into account, that COVID is likely to be with us for some time yet we have slightly amended our Improvement Plan.

Our next priority is to progress with the garden landscaping with the purchase of Wooden Gazebos and Garden Heaters to allow continued social distancing visits when the weather gets cooler.

Raised garden beds to be designed so that those residents who love to garden can help with growing our own flowers, fruit and vegetables. We are also aiming to have a sensory area in the garden and paths so that residents can walk safely around the gardens.

If any families have any ideas please let us know.

Activities

Kathryn Clough – activities co-ordinator.

Indoor games and crafts continue as normal. We have had singers come into the garden to entertain our residents. Kathryn and a group of residents are also spending time in the garden cultivating some lovely potted plant arrangements.

Our residents have missed the local Reception Class from Easterside School coming in to see us but the children have continued to keep in touch with letters and cards which has been lovely.

Pamper Days are regular for all our ladies less popular with our Gents but some do like to join in.

This month we will be going out and about in the minibus with those residents who are able. Rest assured we will be adhering to social distancing and will be starting off with rides out to the coast for ice cream and some sea air.

Internet/Wi-Fi

Our Wi-Fi system has been upgraded and can now be used in all rooms. If residents have any devices which need to be connected please ask a member of the team and they will be happy to help with this.

Annual quality survey

This year’s Resident and Family Survey is due so we will be sending out surveys in the near future. We do prefer to communicate with families by email so if you haven’t already done so, please provide us with an email address.

If there is anything you feel we can do to improve the service we provide we would love to hear from you. Our aim is to become one of the best Nursing Homes in the Country and we would like you all to be involved with this. Email: tollesbyhall@hotmail.com.

Acknowledgements

A very big thank you, to everybody for the kind letters, cards and gifts thanking everybody at Tollesby. This means such a lot to us all and is really appreciated.

Note from the Editor.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this. Comments and any suggestions for further newsletters would be much appreciated.

Thanks for reading.

Wendy

Match the famous partners/couples. Good luck everyone.

Abbott and Dean Martin and

Sonny and

Laurel and

Samson and

Torvill and

Bonnie and

Romeo and

Simon and

Butch Cassidy and

Rodgers and

Elizabeth Taylor and

Clark Gable and

Doris Day and Cleopatra and

Fred Astaire and

Enter the correct partner from the choice below:

Jerry Lewis Carol Lombard Hammerstein Mark Anthony Costello Rock Hudson Delilah Sundance Kid Clyde Dean Richard Burton Cher Garfunkel Juliet Ginger Rogers Hardy

click here for more details or to contact Tollesby Hall Care Home