Today I have spoken with the directors of Future Care Services (UK) LTD and we have made the decision to close to visitors.

We understand this decision will be as difficult for some to hear as it has been for us to make. Regular visits are something we actively encourage, but these are unprecedented times.

We are looking at ways of virtual contact with your family members and will be keeping you updated of how we plan to implement this.

Oak Springs will be supporting visits which are vital, including medical professionals or end of life visits. The decisions for these will be made on a case-by-case basis by the registered manager

Over the last 24 hours, we’ve seen fellow care home providers up and down the country closing their doors too, and we want to join them in staying ahead of the curve, to do everything we can to safeguard our residents health and wellbeing.

The Government as at the time of this press release, haven’t offered any guidance or advice for care home providers on this matter. The CQC and Care England both seem to be in the same position of waiting for Government to take the lead, but we’re in daily contact with both, to make sure any directives or guidance is swiftly acted on. But we feel strongly that to sit around and wait for this would be neglecting our duty of care to both our residents and staff. We understand that some won’t support our decision, but we’d rather err on the side of caution now, rather than face questions of why we didn’t act quicker, later.

It’s clear that it’s not a question of if, but when, that advice is given to care homes in England.

In the coming days and weeks, we all need to act responsibly, show patience and understanding and support one another through these difficult and unprecedented times.

We are keeping this decision under review each and every day moving forward.

Stay Safe and well.

Andrea Lyon

Registered Manager

Oak Springs Care Home