Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Joy as care homes welcome visitors again
Monklands’care homes have resumed indoor visiting for relatives, friends and carers of residents.
The facilities across Airdrie and Coatbridge will support residents to have up to two separate designated visitors once a week.
The move followed the Scottish Government guidance“open with Care” which supports the reintroduction of meaningful family contact in care homes, in a safer and managed way.
The wide range of protections now in place against Covid-19 for care home residents led to the decision that meaningful contact should be made easier for the wellbeing of residents and their loved ones.
Care homes will work with residents and visitors to agree the duration of visits in the early stages.
At this point, children under the age of 16 should only be classed as a designated visitor for indoor contact under exceptional circumstances.
Designated visitors will need to wear a fluidresistant surgical mask, which should be provided by the care home, and wear any additional PPE requested by the home.
Visitors will also be strongly encouraged to take a Covid test on-site.
Visiting at some homes may still be restricted, primarily in the event of an outbreak at a care home.
Gabe Docherty, director of public health for NHS Lanarkshire, said:“the ‘Open with Care’guidance from the Scottish Government is very welcome.
“It is a huge boost to care home residents and their loved ones and means they can spend quality time together indoors.
“We absolutely understand how important meaningful family contact is and were keen that indoor visits were reinstated. It has always been our focus to reinstate visiting as soon as there was evidence that the risks of doing so were greatly reduced.
“So, I warmly welcome the approach – and all that it means for care home residents, their families and care home staff.”
The health board is reminding people, however, that they must remain vigilant and follow all advice offered.
Mr Docherty added:“it’s vital people remember that every time someone goes into a care home it is a Covid risk.
“It is essential that we all remain vigilant about the risks and not become complacent, however the multiple layers of protection now in place mean the balance is in favour of allowing visits.
“Everyone, including visitors, has a responsibility to ensure that visits take place as safely as possible by continuing to follow safety advice and not visiting a care home if they have any
Covid symptoms.
“Following FACTS remains the most effective
way of preventing Covid-19 transmission in care homes.”
Monklands’latest road closures include work being conducted on manholes, gas pipes and a retaining structure.
Elm Drive in Chapelhall will be closed all day today, from Ivy Way to Rowan Crescent.
Scottish Water is carrying out manhole works and motorists are warned there will be no diversions in place.
Luggiebank’s Glenhove Road is shut until Monday for the completion of emergency works by Scottish Water.
In the meantime, drivers can use the B8039 Stirling Road and Hulks Road as alternative routes.
The closure is from Stirling Road to a point 425m east and pedestrians can still use the road.
Emergency gas works will see Sunnyside Road in Coatbridge closed until next Friday, March 19.
This is between the B804 Dunbeth Road and Crichton Street and diverted routes available are Main Street, the A89 South Circular Road and the B803 Sunnyside Road.
Glenboig’s B804 Main Street will be shut, from Glenboig New Road to Inchneuk Road, from 6am on Monday until 6pm next Friday, March 19, for the replacement of a retaining structure.
Gartcosh Road, Sunnyside Road, Craignethan Drive, Auldyards Road, Lochend Road, Glasgow Road and Cuilhill Road will be among the roads acting as diversions during the closure.