Coronavirus latest

We are continuously monitoring the advice from government and our regulators to ensure we are safeguarding our residents and colleagues. We review this information regularly and will update this page and the documents shared below in the event of any developments.

The following websites also contain useful guidance:

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
• https://111.nhs.uk/service/COVID-19/
• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

If you have any questions, please speak to your local manager.

A senior team is meeting regularly and will continue to monitor the situation. 

12 May 2020: A message from Anchor Hanover Chief Executive Jane Ashcroft CBE 

Following the Prime Minister’s speech on Sunday 10 May, I wanted to update you on what it means for all of our services.

We have studied the government’s publication on 11 May of its Covid-19 recovery strategy and are continuing to monitor for any other follow-up communications. We have also published the risk assessment for our Bradford office below, as required by the latest guidance.

Our approach to maintaining services remains in line with the latest government information and we are therefore not making any changes to our approach beyond those I detailed on 29 April. The detail is below.

I appreciate that uncertainty can create anxiety and we will do all we can to communicate with residents and relatives clearly and promptly. Our number one priority is the health and wellbeing of our residents and colleagues while continuing to provide essential services residents rely on.

In both our care homes and housing, our colleagues have access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect themselves and residents from the virus. We have adhered to the requirements from Public Health England at every step, and we are continuing to replenish our stocks. 

Earlier on in the crisis, a substantial number of our colleagues had to self-isolate in accordance with the government guidelines. I am delighted to say that the peak of this process is now complete and we have also maintained our staffing levels through effective recruitment.  

Anchor Hanover operates 114 care homes as well as Retirement and Extra Care housing across 1,700 sites in England and Wales. These settings differ significantly so it is appropriate that the responses to the current crisis are suited to the needs of the residents. I will explain our response in each in turn:

Care homes

Our 114 care homes are continuing to provide 24-hour residential care, including specialist dementia care, and we are supporting residents who are being discharged from hospital. 

We are ensuring social distancing is adhered to where possible and regular deep cleaning is being carried out. Colleagues are also undertaking regular handwashing upon arrival and throughout their working hours, as well as utilising all appropriate PPE.

The commitment and dedication of my colleagues has been exceptional and is helping our care home residents stay in touch with their family, friends and community despite the present challenges. 

Non-essential visits remain suspended, including those from family members and friends, though this hasn’t stopped many of our residents staying in touch with those closest to them. We have increased our use of Skype and Facetime to host meetings for residents and their loved ones and our homes are providing regular activity updates on social media. 

Our #BeKindtoOneAnother initiative has seen schools and the wider community send pictures, poems and messages of support to our residents in isolation. The response has been extremely heart-warming and has provided a lovely boost to the morale of residents and colleagues alike.

A temporary role of Welfare Assistant has also been established to further support resident engagement, enabling our care colleagues to focus on the individual needs of our residents. 

Housing

As with our care homes, residents and colleagues in our housing are adhering to social distancing where possible. This has included restricting access to communal areas, with rules in place to prevent social contact, and colleagues who are able to do so are now working remotely. Managers are visiting the site regularly and are maintaining regular phone contact with residents. 

In line with government advice about shielding groups at a higher risk from coronavirus, we have stopped all non-essential visits to our housing locations and we are strongly advising friends and relatives not to visit unless they are providing essential care to someone.

Essential checks and repairs on utilities are continuing in the interest of health and safety.

Once again, through the outstanding commitment of our colleagues, we are maintaining essential services to residents while safeguarding the wellbeing of all on site. In our retirement housing, we are continuing to provide:

• Anchor Hanover on Call, our 24-hour emergency contact. 
• Food deliveries where this is part of the resident's normal service.
• Our welfare benefits and energy switching advice service, BeWise.
• Online services for residents to make payments, update details etc.

Some activities have inevitably been affected. Non-essential works are currently suspended and cleaning times may be altered with cleaning staff from other locations stepping in to help.

New lettings and sales have also been suspended. Those to which we are already committed, those to people who are homeless and those which will help to avoid people being in hospital will continue as normal.

We are continuously monitoring the situation and official advice. Our Executive Team and Operational Teams are holding regular coronavirus calls to ensure effective following and sharing of government guidance. 

The safety and wellbeing of our residents and colleagues is paramount. We are taking every possible step to safeguard this while continuing to support our residents.

The situation regarding the coronavirus pandemic is undoubtedly extremely difficult and presents many challenges for our residents and their families, and for us as an organisation. 

I can assure you that Anchor Hanover’s commitment to enhancing the lives of older people remains unwavering and we will continue striving to ensure each of our residents have a home where they love living in later life.

Jane Ashcroft CBE
Chief Executive 
Anchor Hanover

Useful documents

Download our housing residents' FAQs (updated 12 May 2020)

Download our care residents' FAQs (updated 24 March 2020)

Download the risk assessment for our Bradford office (updated 2 June 2020)