LISTEN BACK: SAGE ADVOCACY DISCUSSES NEW HSE/HPSC GUIDANCE ON VISITING NURSING HOMES ON LMFM RADIO February 1, 2022

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Sage Advocacy's Executive Director, Sarah Lennon joined the Michael Reade Show on LMFM Radio to discuss new HSE/HPSC guidelines on visiting Long Term Residential Care Facilities, including nursing homes, which will come into effect on February 8.

Ms Lennon said the new guidelines are a welcome development.

Ms Lennon also said the key changes to the guidance reflect the general easing of Covid-19 public health restrictions.

The guidance outlines that:

• the minimum level of routine indoor visiting should be daily visits by up to 2 people at a time.
• each resident should have the opportunity to identify one nominated support person. The nominated support person should normally have unrestricted access to the resident for most of the day
• the requirement for a vaccination certificate has been removed
• visits need not be scheduled in advance with the facility.
• There is no requirement to limit the total number of different people who can visit a resident 
• even in an outbreak a minimum level of visiting must be facilitated
• there is no requirement to limit the movement of a resident within the LTRCF after return from an outing or hospital attendance regardless of the duration of the absence

Ms Lennon said while the vast majority of nursing home providers recognise the importance of visiting to the overall health and wellbeing of their residents Sage Advocacy is also aware of some nursing home providers who have not adhered to previous guidance.

Sage Advocacy is encouraging all nursing home providers to adhere to the new HSE/HPSC guidance from February 8.