A care home in Richmond has created a visiting suite so that residents can continue to spend time with their loved ones whilst being protected from COVID-19.

Lynde House, near Richmond Bridge, has come up with a novel way to continue visits throughout the colder months.

In addition to outdoor meetings and video calls, the care home has developed a heated room that adheres to coronavirus safety measures.

An intercom system allows residents to communicate with visitors clearly whilst looking at them thorough a glass divider.

The room is furnished similar to a living room and heated to create a cosy welcoming environment.

Adapted from the residents’ second lounge, the visiting suite can be accessed internally by residents and externally by visitors.

Infection control protocols and safe social distancing are in place for every visit, including a hand sanitiser station before entry and cleaning of all surfaces after visits.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Alison McIntosh, General Manager at the home, said:

“The visiting suite has been a much-welcomed development for our residents at Lynde House to continue to receive much looked forward to visits from their loved ones, as the weather changes.

“The suite visits are well organised, and a lot of safety measures have been put in place to keep everyone safe. It was wonderful to see how happy it made the residents and their relatives in a warm and cosy environment.”

Feedback from families indicates that most people would accept unusual arrangements if it meant being able to see their loved ones while also keeping themselves safe, as a temporary measure.

Barchester Healthcare says it hope to allow visits again as normal once it is safe to do so following government guidance.