FAMILIES will not be able to hold hands or hug their relatives in care homes after close contact visits were halted for lockdown. The government previously announced families would be able to spend quality time with their loved ones by taking two coronavirus tests a week. Now that cases have risen, and a third national lockdown has been imposed, those close contact visits have now been cancelled for the foreseeable future. Cllr Andy Morgan, who runs Bakewells Care Home in Deane, confirmed that the visits would no longer be able to take place. He said: Unfortunately, close contact visits are no longer allowed, but families are still able to visit their loved ones.
THE first Bolton care home residents have received the Covid-19 vaccine. Around 75 residents and staff at the Old Vicarage care home, Ivy Bank Road, received their vaccinations on Wednesday. Dr Stephen Liversedge, Clinical Director for Primary Care and Health Improvement at Bolton CCG, administered the vaccines to the residents. He said: “As the link GP for this care home, I wanted to be the one to administer the vaccine. I know a lot of the residents and staff already. I wanted to be able to put them at ease, and answer any queries they may have before receiving the vaccine.”
• The Farnworth Family Practice In addition, staff from nearby care home Mill View were invited to receive the vaccine this afternoon, Friday. Vaccinations will take place at Lever Chambers Centre for Health, Ashburner Street. The site is not a drop in facility and only those with a pre-arranged appointment can be vaccinated. Senior responsible officer for the covid-19 vaccination programme in Bolton, and clinical director of commissioning at Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group, Dr Helen Wall, said: “Following a successful first wave of the vaccination programme, I am pleased to say that more over 80s can now benefit from this vaccine.
EMOTIONAL: Sisters Laura Webster and Rachael Beattie present their new born babies to their great grandmother Herta Beattie CARE home residents in Bolton could soon welcome indoor visitors thanks to new guidance to keep them, their relatives and care staff safe from Covid-19. Bolton Council has written to all care homes to confirm a new “two-test” process will allow indoor visits to take place if visitors undertake a number of procedures. These include having a standard PCR test, booked via the national portal, within three days of their visit and if the test is negative having a LFD test at the care home on the day of their pre-booked visit.