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Residential care and nursing support for care home residents

Information and guidance to help care home staff and NHS staff to support care home residents during the coronavirus outbreak.

Visiting guidelines for care homes

Our priority remains to prevent infections in care homes and protect staff and residents from the avoidable risk of contracting COVID-19 which can have a devastating impact if it spreads through a care home. However, we also recognise the importance of allowing care home residents to safely meet their loved ones for their own wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of friends, family and staff. We also recognise that each resident and care home is unique therefore a one size fits all approach is not suitable.

The following guidance offers an approach that care homes can use to ensure that all the necessary and appropriate precautions are in place to protect both the health & safety of those being cared for and the staff employed in the service.

Whole care home testing

All registered care homes in England can apply for coronavirus tests. Care homes can register via the online portal.

Webinars for care homes are taking place regularly each weekday (morning and afternoon)on the whole home swab testing process.

Care homes - Please join and update the NE CSU bed capacity tracker

Most of you are already registered to provide information on your vacancies using the Bed Capacity Tracker. During the COVID-19 outbreak, the tracker will be used to help to identify vacancies for people needing short and long-term care, and for national capacity planning. 

Please register on the tracker if you have not already done so and support colleagues in the wider system by keeping your vacancies information up to date.

Internet connection deals for care homes

As a care provider you may need to improve your internet connection to use technology more during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The NHS have created a page listing new internet deals available specifically for care homes which suppliers will fast-track to set up for you.

COVID-19 and diabetes management in care homes

COVID-19 can cause a serious acute illness in people with diabetes. If you provide care and support for someone with diabetes, the following guide has been designed to support you in clinical decision-making.

Guidance on caring for older adults

Managing COVID-19 symptoms (including at the end of life) in the community

Read the NICE guideline, which includes information on managing COVID-19 symptoms, planning care and treatment, and end-of-life care.