The building will allow elderly residents to see their families.
A NURSING home in Barry is building a new shelter to allow family visits without risking the spread of coronavirus.
College Fields Nursing Home began building the new structure yesterday and hopes to complete the work by the end of next week.
“Our residents are extremely vulnerable,” said Nursing Home director Mike Kemp.
“But they also need interaction with their families and loved ones for their mental health and well-being.”
The new six-sided glazed structure known as The Bandstand will protect the elderly while allowing family visits.
Public Health Wales advises that external, well-ventilated areas are less likely to allow the spread of coronavirus.
However, with cold winter weather, an outdoor visit poses significant health risks to older or more frail residents.
The Bandstand is wheelchair accessible with 6 wide entrances. It is built at the front of the nursing home for ease of access to both residents and families.
“We decided to find a structure with at least two entrances, that could be well-ventilated to keep residents safe,” said Mr Kemp.
“The Bandstand will allow at least one resident, perhaps two, at any one time to have company from loved ones.”
Electric lights and heaters will allow staff to make the area more comfortable for residents.
The Welsh Government previously banned visits to care homes across Wales. However, First Minister Mark Drakeford has allowed indoor visits to residents since 29 August 2020.
He suggested that residents should declare a single ‘designated visitor’ and that groups should not be admitted.
Mr Kemp said: “We have been bombarded with new guidance often many times a week. More often amending previous guidance and visiting has played a challenging part of that.”
College Fields Nursing Home previously used two large gazebos to provide shelter for outdoor visits.
