Visitors are Welcomed at Green Lodge Care Home

Green Lodge care home in Billingham, Stockton on Tees, 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.

John Macmillan was one of the first residents in the home to spend quality time with his very close friend Gary Buttle who commented “I really didn’t think we would ever get to this point; I am so pleased to see John, and this has brought a large lump to my throat”.

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, Mandy Cooper, said “This has been a long time coming and we have all worked so hard over the past year. Seeing our residents faces as our doors open melts our hearts.”

Offering specialist residential, dementia residential and short-term respite care, Green Lodge is committed to providing the best possible care to all residents and continues to go above and beyond to keep every resident safe during the pandemic.

Find out more about our care homes in Tyne & Wear.