The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 currently prohibit us all from leaving the place where we live to visit friends and relatives. This has been brought into force due to the current Coronavirus pandemic and is an essential order given to reduce the spread of this virus.

In Lambeth, we have a number of Care Providers, who have had to take swift action to protect their residents and this has meant restrictions on contact with the outside world, including visits by family members and friends, in line with Regulation 6 of the above regulations.

Lambeth has advised all our Providers, that they must do whatever they can to facilitate other types of contact with loved ones such as telephone, Skype, Whatsapp video calling, Zoom or Facetime.

We recognise that there will be some cases, where a resident may be very unwell or considered terminal and in these circumstances, care home providers will consider what arrangements can be made to safely enable contact, which does not place other vulnerable residents at risk. This is likely to include that visitors will be expected to wear personal protective equipment (provided to them) for these visits and allowed access only at agreed times.

We appreciate that this can be a very distressing situation for families wanting to be near loved ones and we will endeavour to do all we can to facilitate this whilst trying to ensure everyone is kept safe.