29/04/2021

New Guidance To Be Issued For Visiting NI Care Homes

New guidance for visiting care homes in Northern Ireland is currently being finalised.

The guidance is expected to be published imminently to allow preparations to be made in care settings and will take effect from next week.

The new guidance will include a new approach to supporting safe and proportionate increased visiting in care homes. This will include updated arrangements for the safe management of care home residents receiving visitors, as well as residents being able to visit other households and community facilities and take part in excursions.

The Public Health Agency is leading the development of this new guidance, using a co-production approach by working with representatives from the statutory sector, representatives from various relatives’ groups and independent healthcare providers.

Health Minister Robin Swann said: "I fully recognise the desire for more visiting. Receiving a face to face visit from a loved one is so important to people who are unwell, elderly or vulnerable. Of course, we also have to remain vigilant about the continuing threat from the virus and strike the right balance."

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