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A new pilot is scheduled to be launched that will give family members the opportunity to visit loved ones in residences over Christmas.
The plan will take place in various houses in Hampshire, Cornwall and Devon starting on November 16, in the hope that it can be more widely implemented before the festive period.
Periodic testing will be offered to one family member or friend per resident, either the home PCR kits or a rapid lateral flow test in the nursing home, which is designed to be combined with personal protective equipment so that “visitors meaningful “can be done without a screen. .
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It means that risks to residents, staff and visitors are reduced, and visits inside could be possible.
The pilot is part of a mass test rollout across the UK, with each nursing home initially receiving a box of 675 lateral flow tests.
The Department of Health and Welfare says it will be rolled out to more households later, in case the data supports it, and trials will be closed for the sector.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “I know how heartbreaking the restriction of visits to nursing homes has been, not just for residents, many of whom will be disoriented and confused by the situation, but also for your loved ones who cannot just hug each other to support them in this difficult time.
“Thanks to the expanding testing capacity we have in place, we can now begin to test a new way to enable safer visits and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“I must emphasize that this is only possible if the public takes the right actions now to control the transmission speed while there are national restrictions.”
Care Minister Helen Whately said: “As Christmas approaches, I want to end the pain of separation and help nursing homes bring families and loved ones closer together. visitors is a crucial step in making that happen. “
