Wessex Care become the UK first to commission UV-C decontamination technology in our homes

Written on 07 July 2020.

We are very proud that Wessex Care has become the first residential care provider in the UK to commission innovative ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light technology in the fight against coronavirus.

Our focus for the next few weeks is to consider what the ‘new normal’ actually means for the welfare and protection of all of our residents and community customers. As the general public rules are relaxed, we have to maintain our high level of protection measures to ensure the safety of everyone we care for and the dedicated teams that provide this care. As others relax, we cannot and must remain very vigilant.

The measures Wessex Care are taking against coronavirus

Our commitment to safe-guarding our residents, community clients and HDSU (Hospital Discharge Support Unit) patients means that things have changed for Wessex Care in terms of our daily practices, including the use of full personal protective equipment (PPE) and preventing visits to our sites.

We have now completed our whole home testing and we are delighted to confirm that there have been no COVID-19 positive results in either our resident or staff groups. Please remember that Kimberly East is the South’s Hospital Discharge Support Unit (HDSU) where you will expect a level of COVID-19 positive results, but these have been excluded from our figures.

We have now moved to a phase of testing any resident that presents as unwell in anyway with a particular focus on changes to their oxygen saturation tests which increasingly appear to be a strong early indicator. No COVID-19 positives have thus far been returned.

All new admissions require, before arrival a COVID-19 negative test prior to admission and a clinical view that supports the negative result. They are then placed in 14-day isolation being barrier nursed and retested before being able to leave their room.

Our staff have worked tirelessly throughout the crisis. To all our fantastic family of Wessex Care we again thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your selfless devotion and dedication to our residents and community customers. It remains and always will be such a privilege to work alongside each and every one of you.

When we discovered Inivos technology that could help to keep the virus away from our homes, we looked into acquiring the equipment straight away and providing additional training to all of our staff.

Wessex Care’s Infection Control Procedures

Here at Wessex Care, we have and will continue to do everything in our power to care and protect our residents, community customers and employees while supporting the NHS and Social Care colleagues. All and any staff illness result in immediate self-isolation and testing after seven days and no staff can return to work until they have a negative test and are symptom free.

To find out more about our specific procedures, the support we provide staff and clients and if you have any questions, you can view our Covid-19 briefings via the website homepage which are sent to all residents, relatives and staff and you can also contact us.

Virus Killer

We have also implemented the use of air purifiers across our care homes and centres to help keep spaces well ventilated. The equipment we use also helps to kill any viruses that may be lurking in the air, helping to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

VIRUSKILLER™ tackles indoor air pollutants, pathogens, and allergens, providing comfort and relief to allergy sufferers and greater protection for those residents with acute respiratory conditions and illnesses. You can find out more about our air purifier units by clicking here.