In light of the latest Government guidance on protecting elderly and vulnerable people, the County Council has taken the decision to temporarily stop all but emergency visits to its care homes.
Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health, Councillor Liz Fairhurst, said:
This has not been an easy decision to make, but it is our absolute priority to ensure that vulnerable individuals, who are supported in care homes managed by the County Council, are kept as safe as possible from any potential spread of Coronavirus. While we recognise that contact with families is extremely important to the wellbeing of those for whom we care, we want to do everything we can to protect our elderly and vulnerable residents.
With immediate effect, all our County Council-managed care homes have temporarily closed their doors to visitors.
Going forward, we will be doing everything we can to support our residents to stay in touch with their families and loved ones via phone calls, video calls, instant messaging or letters.
The County Council is in the process of advising all residents, families and carers of this change of policy.
For more details on the national Coronavirus guidance, go to the County Council’s Coronavirus web pages.