New visiting suite at Cookridge Court Care Home in Leeds helps families connect

Care provider Barchester Healthcare adapted a room which is accessible internally by residents and externally by visitors into a living room-style facility with comfortable furnishings and heating. The room has an intercom system fitted so residents can clearly communicate and a Perspex glass divider to prevent the spread of COVID-19, while infection control protocols, safe social distancing, a hand sanitising station and cleaning after every visit are in place.

The room was introduced alongside the regular outdoor visiting that has taken place during the warmer and drier months.

Karen Francis, general manager at the home, said: “The visiting suite has been a much welcomed development for our residents at Cookridge Court to continue to receive much looked forward to visits from their loved ones, as the weather changes.

“Alongside the continued offer of outdoor visiting, the visiting suite visits are well organised, and a lot of safety measures have been put in place to keep everyone safe.

“It was wonderful to see how happy it made the residents and their relatives in a warm and cosy environment.”

The room was adapted after feedback from families suggested they would be willing to accept unusual arrangements if it meant being able to see their loved ones while keeping safe.

Barchester Healthcare hope to allow visits again as normal once it is safe to do so following government guidance.