Clarity given on nursing home visits

Revised public health guidance for nursing home visits has been published today by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

Subject to a risk assessment, the revised guidance provides for up to one visit per week by one person under levels 3 and 4 – Plan for Living with Covid19 framework, or one visit per two weeks by one person under level 5.

The guidance will come into effect from December 7.

The CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI), Tadhg Daly, has welcomed the clarification: “Nursing homes have been innovative in creating initiatives to facilitate connection between nursing home residents and their loved ones against the backdrop of a pandemic. We have encouraged and supported nursing homes to maintain social connections throughout that are vital to support residents wellbeing.

“This is a particularly important time of the year for nursing home residents and their families and we welcome the revised guidance that will support residents enjoy meaningful connection with family at this special time. It remains an incredibly difficult time for residents in our nursing homes and their loved ones and nursing homes and their staff are cognisant of this. Nursing homes are making great efforts in particular this Christmas to make it a very happy and special one for nursing home residents.”