Doncaster care home residents enjoy trips to beach and park after Covid lockdown

Residents at RMBI Care Co. Home Harry Priestley House, in Thorne were delighted to be able to enjoy days out following the latest guidance from the government.

The new rule means that care home residents can now participate in low-risk, out-of-home visits without having to self-isolate on their return to the care homes.

Staff have worked tirelessly to ensure residents continue to exercise and keep active in the home, gardens and outdoor spaces. However, this is the first time residents have been able to safely leave the grounds and enjoy an activity outside the care home.

One of the first residents to experience a trip again was resident Laura Turner who enjoyed a walk with her mum Lesley Booth at the local park.

Laura’s mum, Lesley, said: “I cannot put into words how much it means to me to go for a walk again with Laura and our dog Bobby and spend quality time together. I am thankful for the staff who are always there to support her whenever she wishes to have a walk in the home’s grounds, but being able to visit our local area again is just fantastic.”

To ensure their health and safety, residents were accompanied by staff members, kept social distance and remained outside at all times, in line with the government’s current roadmap out of lockdown.

In March, Harry Priestley House re-opened their doors to family visits in line with Government guidance. Prior to this, families were still able to meet their loved ones safely using the home’s visitor pod which opened last year.

All visitors must undergo the necessary health and safety checks, including receiving a negative lateral flow test result and wearing PPE before entering a care home.

Home Manager, Anne Stobart, said: “Throughout the pandemic, our staff have gone above and beyond to care for our residents. Now that they are able to meet their loved ones in person and enjoy out-of-home activities, we are very much looking forward to supporting our residents to reconnect with their local community and enjoy new activities once again.”