Care Watchdog Urges Vigilance to Prevent the Spread of Winter Bugs in Care Homes

Scotland’s care regulator has urged people visiting their family and loved ones in care homes to continue to be vigilant against spreading infections, especially during the winter months.

The Care Inspectorate has warned care home visitors to take precautions in order to prevent the spread of infections and bugs during the winter – including infections such as norovirus that can be present in the community and can spread rapidly between residents, visitors and staff in care homes.

Margaret Tannahill, the Care Inspectorate’s Consultant Nurse for Infection Control, said: “During the winter months, the spread of certain infections and diseases can be a big challenge for those in care homes where many people are vulnerable to infection and this can also appply to visitors such as older people or young children.

“If you are visiting a family member or loved one in a care home, it’s vital that you remember that your actions can have a dramatic effect on their health and that of others if you do not take the necessary precautions.”

In order to limit the spread of infection, the Care Inspectorate is promoting a list of the most important tips to remember when visiting a care home. These include:

• Make sure your hands are clean

Making sure your hands are clean is one of the most important ways to stop infections spreading. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after going to the toilet. Everyone, including residents who have been on outings, should use the hand hygiene facilities in the care home on entering and leaving. Look for the notices at the entrance to care homes advising you what to do and where.

• Don't visit if you are feeling unwell

Don't visit a  resident in a care home if you are feeling unwell or have an infection such as flu or a heavy cold, or if you or a member of your household are suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting. If you aren't well enough to visit then you are welcome to phone the care home and leave a message or ask for your relative or friend to phone you.

If you have vomiting or diarrhoea you should not visit a resident in a care home or patient in a hospital until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped.

• Speak to the care team if you have any concerns

You should feel free to speak to any staff member about whether they have cleaned their hands. You should also talk to the person in charge if you have any concerns about hygiene in the care home or if you are worried or unsure about any infection prevention issues.

Margaret added: “If you have a loved one in care, you need to keep them safe and protected – and this includes preventing them from being exposed unncessarily to winter bugs where possible.

“By following these simple tips, people visiting care homes during the winter months will ensure that they limit the chances of infections being spread in care homes to residents who are vulnerable to infections and staff and visitors”.

Editors Notes:

• The Care Inspectorate is the everyday name for Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS) and was formed on 1st April 2011 bringing together the Care Commission, the Social Work Inspection Agency and the child protection arm HMIE.
  
• A report on norovirus guidance, which was produced by the Care Inspectorate and Health Protection Scotland is available to view at:  http://www.documents.hps.scot.nhs.uk/hai/infection-control/norovirus/norovirus-guidance-carehomes-2011-09.pdf
  
• More information about the Care Inspectorate and its regulatory work with care and social work services in Scotland can be found on the website www.careinspectorate.com

ENDS

Issued on behalf of the Care Inspectorate by the Holyrood Partnership. For more information, contact 0131 561 2244 or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it