Rushden care home's pride at staying Covid-free during lockdown

The home went into 'lockdown' a week before the rest of the country
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A care home manager has praised staff for keeping the home Covid-free during the pandemic.

Jasmine Healthcare took the decision to 'lockdown' all six of its care homes, including Avenue House in Rushden, a week before the country went into lockdown.

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And five months later, the decision seems to have paid off as the home in Avenue Road has remained Covid-free throughout.

Home manager Sam Hoare-Wilkinson told the Northants Telegraph: "We truly believe by making this hard decision this was our saving grace

"Following government guidelines, all of our residents are Covid tested once a month and all of our staff are tested once a week, and we have remained Covid-free throughout the pandemic."

Sam said full PPE is worn at all times within the home, staff and residents have their temperatures taken daily and she said they have received great support and regular information from Northants Councty Council and the CCG.

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Other measures to keep the virus at bay include all staff members having additional PPE training in-house as well as Jasmine Healthcare bringing in additional housekeeping staff during the pandemic.

Staff at Avenue House in RushdenStaff at Avenue House in Rushden
Staff at Avenue House in Rushden

But despite keeping the home Covid-free, the pandemic has impacted on it in other ways.

Sam said: "Sadly due to being in lockdown we have missed out on vital fundraising events within the home.

"We would normally hold these events throughout the year to raise money for our residents' funds, which provides activities and entertainment for our residents.

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"As we were on lockdown therefore families and outside visitors were unable to come into Avenue House, we knew we had to think of other ideas to raise money.

Taking part in the staff sports day at Avenue House in RushdenTaking part in the staff sports day at Avenue House in Rushden
Taking part in the staff sports day at Avenue House in Rushden

"Vita is our activities co-ordinator who is fantastic and contacted local Rushden and Raunds shops on the High Street for raffle donations.

"Asda in Rushden also supplied us with a box of donations.

"We have received a high volume of support from our local community, the likes of Waitrose who donated us a cheque of £333 and we set up a JustGiving page on our Avenue House Facebook which we hit our full target of £500.

"We raised £1,010 which is an astonishing amount and Jasmine Healthcare will match this amount raised taking our total to £2,020.

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"We held in-house events like our staff sports day and the opening of our new garden by having a garden party."

And while the pandemic is far from over, Sam has lots of praise for the staff as well as residents and their families for the part they have played in helping keep everyone safe.

Sam said: "We are unsure to when we will be re-opening due to local concerning figures rising, however we are very closely monitoring this and we update our families weekly by telephone and emails.

"We would like to thank all relatives' families for their continuing support throughout the pandemic, we understand fully how extremely hard this is.

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"To all of our staff members who have continued to support each other and provide the highest standards of care to our residents throughout, thank you.

"Together we will all continue to do what we do best."

Avenue House is a 45-bed home which offers residential, dementia and nursing care for the elderly.

For more information about the home click here

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