We’re here to help with care during coronavirus (COVID-19)

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic we are operating a normal service, with the office open and ready to support clients who need assistance at home.

The safety and wellbeing of the people we care for and our staff is of paramount importance. To ensure this we have implemented a number of extra steps in accordance with the latest expert advice, including ensuring all our care workers have and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, visors, aprons and gloves

how we are protecting our clients and staff during CORONAVIRUS

PROTECTING CLIENTS AND STAFF DURING CORONAVIRUS

We take the health and safety of our clients and care staff very seriously and our priority is to ensure we can safely continue to deliver vital care to our clients during the coronavirus outbreak. We are following the latest guidance from the National Institute for Health Protection and the NHS, including provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, visors, aprons and gloves. We also follow guidance from the Care Quality Commission, the United Kingdom Home Care Association and Local Authorities to ensure we continue to receive adequate information. To ensure our staff are working to the same high standards we have put together a Coronavirus Policy, which can be read below:

OUR COVID-19 POLICY FOR G&C HEALTHCARE STAFF

A copy of these guidelines has been given to all our staff.

Vulnerable Adults are at higher risk of Coronavirus.To ensure we are all working to the same standards, in line with those recommended by the National Institute for Health Protection, the Government and the NHS, staff should read and follow this policy in full.

Carers should wash their hands and wrists for at least 20 seconds upon arrival, throughout and on leaving every client’s home.
When providing close personal care in direct contact with the client(s) (e.g. touching) or within two metres of anyone in the household who is coughing, carers will wear new disposable gloves, a plastic apron, surgical mask, and eye protection (visors).
PPE will be binned when the carer leaves the client. Aside from regular hand washing this is a crucial preventative measure to reduce the risk of infection.
Carers will not shake hands with anyone, anywhere, and avoid hugging or being close to anyone aside from the immediate family members they live with.
Carers will not share cups, crockery or water bottles with other members of staff or clients.
Carers will wash their uniform or work clothing daily to reduce the chance of infection.
Carers will try to stay - wherever possible - at a distance of two metres from clients, other members of staff, or medical professionals.
Carers will refrain from touching their face, nose and eyes as much as possible.
Carers will clean working surfaces as often as possible with anti-bacterial solution. This is especially important for areas of high use.
Carers will regularly clean their mobile phone and refrain from using client’s telephones.
If hand washing facilities are not available, carers will use a hand sanitiser.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU DEVELOP SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUS

If you have symptoms of coronavirus (a high temperature; a new, continuous cough; or a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste), call 119 if you’re in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, 0300 303 2713 if you’re in Scotland, book a visit to a test site to have the test, or order a home test kit if you cannot get to a test site. Should any person in the household develop COVID-19 symptoms you should follow government guidance (e.g. on household isolation) and use PPE as per standard infection and prevention control guidance.

FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT CORONAVIRUS