Wirral Life April 2020 | Page 14

W L HESWALL CARE HOME CREATES ‘COCOONING ENVIRONMENT’ FOR RESIDENTS A Wirral care home has created a ‘cocooning environment’ for those residents in its care from the Coronavirus outbreak. The Hazelwell, a residential, nursing, palliative and respite care in Oldfield Road, Heswall, took the necessary steps to safeguard its residents by closing it to non-essential visitors. The home took the decision before the Government introduced wider public shutdown measures in March. The Hazelwell followed the advice of the World Health Organisation and have put measures in place to protect residents and staff, including additional cleaning and personal hygiene measures. Opened in 2016, The Hazelwell is well equipped to look after the needs of its residents with 55 tastefully decorated en-suite rooms, home cinema room, piano bar, library, garden terrace, rooftop terrace and fine dining which is prepared daily by the on-site chef. Staff are safe-distancing residents from group activities that have may have pre-existing conditions. The Hazelwell care home manager Sue Ball, said: “The health, safety and wellbeing of our residents and staff are always our top priorities. While we have no confirmed cases in our home, the growing threat of the Coronavirus outbreak means 14 wirrallife.com that we are continually reviewing measures to reduce the risk of infection and protect the most vulnerable in our care. “We therefore took the difficult decision to close our home to all non-essential visits to create a cocooning environment and safeguard the wellbeing of our residents. This will include routine friends and family visits. In addition, we will be limiting hospital appointments, unless in emergency and at the sole discretion of the home.” The Hazelwell is also exploring ways that residents can stay in touch with family members through telephone and social media. Sue added: “To ensure continued communication between residents and family members we are exploring measures to aid regular contact through telephone, Skype, WhatsApp and FaceTime. We have not taken this decision to close lightly, however we have a duty of care to our residents and staff.” For more information call 0151 342 9654, email: [email protected] or visit www.thehazelwell.com