Residents at RMBI Care Co. Homes are reunited with their loved ones once again

Residents in RMBI Care Co. homes were delighted to be able to meet their loved ones in person for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Our care homes have opened their doors to family visits, following new guidance from the government, which allows each care home resident to receive visits from one family member or loved one.

One of the first residents to be reunited with a family member in person is Edna Staines from Lord Harris Court, in Berkshire. She said:

It means so much to me to see my daughter in person once again and have her sit next to me. Thankfully, we’ve been able to see each other in the Home’s visitor pod during the pandemic, which has been great, but it means the world to me to be able to hold her hand again.

Edna’s daughter, Helen, said:

I have missed mum so much; it’s been an emotional experience being next to her in the same room and to hold her hand today. Staff at the Home have done a wonderful job in supporting mum to stay happy and healthy but it is such a special feeling to be with her again today finally.

To ensure the health and safety of residents and staff at the Homes, each visitor must undertake a lateral flow test before entering the care home and receive a negative result for Covid-19, before meeting their loved one in person. They must also wear suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), which includes gloves, apron and a mask.

Our Homes closed their doors to all but essential visitors before the first national lockdown last year to protect its residents and staff. Families have still been able to visit using the Homes’ Covid-secure visitor pods, which opened last summer.

Staff have worked tirelessly to ensure residents have had regular contact with their families by phone or video calls. However, this is the first time residents have been able to meet in the same room as their loved one without a physical partition.

Mark Lloyd, Managing Director, said:

We have been waiting for this moment for a long time and are overjoyed to be able to reunite our residents safely with their loved ones in person.

Throughout the pandemic, our staff have gone above and beyond to support our residents to stay connected with their loved ones, which is vital for their wellbeing.

We are so pleased to be moving in the right direction and are looking forward to opening our Home up to more visitors and larger gatherings when it is safe to do so.