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Our approach to reducing infections in our Care Homes

At Care UK, the safety and wellbeing of residents, colleagues and visitors remains our top priority. As we continue to live with COVID-19, we have broadened our focus to ensure we reduce the risk of a wide range of infections, including flu, norovirus (diarrhoea and vomiting) and other acute respiratory illnesses.

Everyday measures to prevent infection

We follow rigorous infection prevention and control (IPC) procedures in every home, guided by national standards and our own Care UK policies.

These include:

  • Thorough daily cleaning of high-touch surfaces and communal areas.
  • Enhanced deep cleans during and after outbreaks.
  • Hand hygiene facilities for residents, visitors, and colleagues at key points throughout each home.
  • Ongoing training and support for colleagues to follow safe Infection prevention and control practices.

Staying prepared for outbreaks

We have a robust Outbreak Management Plan in place. This ensures swift action if two or more linked cases of an infectious illness occur.

When needed, we:

  • Carry out local risk assessments and initiate proportionate measures without delay.
  • Notify the appropriate local health protection teams.
  • Communicate clearly with residents, families, and visiting professionals.

Safe visiting and admissions

We recognise how important it is for residents to maintain contact with loved ones. Visiting is supported at all times, including during outbreaks, with risk assessments to ensure visits are safe.

New residents are welcomed following a pre-admission health review. We avoid admissions within 5 days of an individual showing symptoms of an infectious illness unless we are confident the person can be safely supported.

Vaccination and symptom monitoring

We encourage all colleagues and visitors to stay up to date with vaccinations for flu and COVID-19. Care UK supports the workforce by making it as easy as possible to access vaccinations. Colleagues who are eligible under NHS criteria can receive the flu vaccine for free, and we provide information, letters of eligibility, and even vaccination vouchers to ensure everyone has convenient options to stay protected.

We are also:

  • Monitoring residents for early signs of illness, including temperature checks and observation of softer signs such as confusion or loss of appetite.
  • Encouraging colleagues stay away from work when unwell, in line with current government guidance.

Coronavirus

If COVID-19 symptoms or cases occur, we continue to follow the latest guidance from the UK Health Security Agency.

For anyone experiencing symptoms of a respiratory infection:

  • We support residents to stay in their rooms where possible and continue to offer personalised care.
  • Colleagues may wear masks and other PPE depending on the situation.
  • Families are kept informed and involved in decisions about care and visiting.

You can find the latest national guidance here. 

Our commitment to keeping everyone safe

Whether during everyday routines or times of heightened risk, our teams remain committed to delivering high-quality, safe care. We continually review our policies and procedures to reflect national advice and the needs of each home.

Our senior clinicians continue to serve as Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Leads to provide additional scrutiny and support at a national level. Each home also has a dedicated IPC Champion who helps colleagues understand and apply our infection control, cleanliness, and hygiene standards. 

If you have any questions about how we manage infection prevention in our homes, please contact your local Care UK home.

Frequently asked questions

No, there are currently no routine restrictions on visiting. We warmly welcome family and friends into our homes. However, if a home is managing an outbreak of COVID-19 or another infectious illness, visiting arrangements may be adjusted in line with a risk assessment. In such cases, one essential visitor will always be supported, and additional visits will be considered safely and sensitively by the home team.

Yes, children are very welcome to visit. We recommend contacting the home in advance to see how your loved one is feeling and whether there are activities on the day that might interest younger visitors, such as music, crafts, or animal therapy sessions. Read more about making the most of your visit with children.

Face masks are not routinely required for visitors. However, we ask that all guests take simple, sensible precautions, including using hand sanitiser, washing hands on arrival, and avoiding visiting if unwell. If there is an increased risk of infection, or if a resident prefers visitors to wear a mask, our team will provide guidance and support on appropriate measures.