Archers Park Care Home Welcomes Back Visitors

Archers Park care home in Farringdon, Sunderland, (part of Orchard Care Homes’ portfolio of residences for the elderly), has opened its doors again to welcome family back into the home.

Due to the easing of restrictions, Orchard’s policy regarding visiting and testing protocols has updated and this has been supported by recent feedback from relatives and external partners.

Jenny was one of the first residents in the home to spend quality time with her daughter Lynn and commented “It was fantastic to visit and see my mum who looked lovely with her hair done especially for my visit.”

A designated visitor is now able to arrange a pre-booked appointment to visit their loved one using the same-day LFD (Lateral flow antigen) test method only. This change in policy enables these homes to increase face-to-face visits 7 days a week.

Visitors can book appointments via the home’s administrator and are asked to arrive on-site 30 minutes before their visit to take the lateral test, complete a health declaration and apply PPE. For those that wish to take an optional PCR test, they can do so by contacting the home prior to their scheduled visit and staff will facilitate the test.

Home Manager, Sharon Easterbrook-Smith, said “It was a very emotional day for us all at Archers Park including our lovely residents, families and staff team. There was tears of joy as we were all so pleased that we can see some light at the end of the tunnel and families can start to have that close connection with their loved ones again. It has been such a difficult year and we have been faced with some very difficult and emotional times.”