CORONAVIRUS

Lochaber Care & Repair is monitoring the current and ongoing situation with Coronavirus and we are working hard to ensure we are fully staffed to deliver critical services, in particular, those deemed a high priority by NHS Highland Health & Social Care and also our Telecare service.

To enable us to maintain our services and in line with Government guidelines, the office will be closed from Tuesday the 17th March until further notice. However, staff are available by telephone between Monday to Friday 9 – 5 pm (except on a Thursday when we will be available by phone at 10am).

Please call the following numbers to speak with a member of staff:-

Monday (9am) – Wednesday (12pm) - 07341865514

Wednesday (12pm) – Friday (5pm)    -  07464829022

When we contact you to make an appointment we will ask you some questions about your current situation and whether you are self-isolating so that we can understand how best to protect you and your family, as well as the member of staff that attends your home.

Please be patient with us while we ask these questions. These are required to protect the health and wellbeing of you and our staff, which is essential in allowing us to maintain services.

If it is deemed essential that a member of staff does attend your home, they will:

• Ask some further questions at the front door before entering the property

• Distance themselves by at least two metres from anyone in the property

• Avoid touching surfaces where possible

• Wear protective gloves and other additional protection equipment where necessary

• Ask you if they can wash their hands before and after the visit, if you are happy for them to do so

We appreciate your patience, but we’re sure you’ll understand that we can’t give any timescales as to when non-emergency requests will be scheduled, at this time.

We will monitor government advice closely and seek to resume normal service as quickly as possible. Please remember we are trying to support social distancing and protect the health and safety of residents, our staff and the NHS as much as we can during these unprecedented times.

For more advice, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

ADVICE/SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE HANDLING ISOLATION

It’s understandable that not only our residents, but communities everywhere will be worried about how their lives are going to be affected over the coming months. The government has provided guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK and how we can all work together to protect each other. This includes steps you can take to stay connected with family and friends during this time:

Government advice on social distancing: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/

covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-socialdistancing-

for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

In addition to this advice, the government has now put more stringent measures in place to combat the spread of the virus. This includes:

• Requiring people to stay at home, except for very limited purposes

• Closing non-essential shops and community spaces

• Stopping all gatherings of more than two people in public

People will therefore only be permitted to leave the house for one of four purposes:

• Essential food shopping (basic necessities, once a day)

• To take part in one form of exercise a day (e.g. run, walk or cycle) – alone or with members of immediate household

• For medical need or to provide essential care of a vulnerable person

• Travelling to and from essential work (only where absolutely necessary and where working from home is not possible)

Full details on the latest guidance can be found here:

 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-othersa

If you are concerned about a vulnerable neighbour please let us know and we can provide you with advice and assistance.

If you are feeling worried or overwhelmed, support is also available from the following

organisations:

• Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87

• MIND: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/

• Samaritans: 116 123 or https://www.samaritans.org/?nation=scotland

• SHOUT: Text SHOUT to 85258 or visit https://www.giveusashout.org/

 

SCAMS AND BOGUS CALLERS

We would remind all our clients to be vigilant against potential scammers and rogue traders.

Be aware of any cold callers, particularly those asking for upfront payments, and follow the

advice provided by Trading Standards:

https://www.tsscot.co.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-scams/

If you feel uncomfortable or suspicious, call Police Scotland on 101. If you feel threatened or

unsafe at any time, call 999.

You can also report rogue traders to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or through

their website.