A new pop-up care home has opened in Yeovil, in the battle against coronavirus.
After weeks of round the clock work by Somerset County Council and Somerset Care, the former care home, Hendford Court (previously Acacia House) has opened its doorse to house some of Somerset's most elderly and frail residents during this current crisis.
Hendford Court has been set up as a safe haven for people who have tested positive for coronavirus or are displaying symptoms, who cannot yet return to their care home or own home. Residents will be those who are considered well enough to leave hospital, but with continuing care needs.
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Councillor David Huxtable, Cabinet Member for Adult Care at Somerset County Council, said: “Hendford Court will provide a safe and reassuring place for those who can’t yet return home and need somewhere to self-isolate with appropriate care provided from a team of fully trained staff and volunteers.
“Thank you to everyone who stepped forward after our appeal to help support. At present our acute and community hospitals are coping well during the pandemic, but we must be prepared to provide care if, and when, it is needed. I would like to thank everyone involved who has worked with such commitment to make sure we are well prepared.”
Andrew Needham, Operations Director at Somerset Care said, ‘We are incredibly proud to be being involved in providing this resource for the people of Somerset. The team at Somerset Care has worked hard to get the home ready and I am very grateful to all who have helped.’
The scale and speed of the project was considerable – for example a fit-out, normally taking four to six weeks, was achieved in two days. The to-do list included:
• Checking all certification from fire safety to lifts
• Obtaining specialised equipment such as hoists
• Sourcing crockery, cutlery and furniture
• Setting up food and medication supplies, and waste collection
• Establishing Wifi connections and building access
At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Somerset County Council issued an appeal for carers, receiving some 184 external applications.
The 65 staff members of Hendford Court are in place, including the County Council's Vice Chair, Councillor Mark Keating, who has retrained for the role.
Yeovil's B&Q store has also helped with the project, donating four picnic seat and bench sets, so staff have an outdoor area for breaks and a bit of respite between shifts.
The Somerset Coronavirus Support Helpline (0300 790 6275), staffed by the county and district councils’ contact centres, is open from 8am-6pm seven days a week. It provides a single contact number for those wanting to access any advice they may need, including emotional support, in the current crisis.
Somerset County Council’s website also has useful tips and guidance – as well as further information about how Council services are currently affected. The page also offers the chance for people to sign up via email to receive a daily update on Somerset’s response to the Coronavirus outbreak – including further emotional health and wellbeing tips.
