All Western Trust care home fully vaccinated

LOCAL care homes have received a massive boost in the Covid-19 fight as the majority of staff and residents are now fully vaccinated.

All cares homes across the Western Trust have now seen the successful completion of the drive to administer first and second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Vaccines have been administered to all 64 care homes located in the Western Trust area since the vaccination programme began on December 14.

Slieve Na Mon Care Home in Omagh was the last in the vaccination programme list for the first and second doses of the vaccine to staff and residents, and the vaccination team will now be ‘mopping up’ any vaccines required in the care home sector for the Trust.

Silverdale Care Home in Castlederg was on the first vaccine list and the home has remained in Green Status, meaning all staff and residents were Covid-19 free during the outbreak of the pandemic.

Residents and a high number of staff members have now received both vaccines for the virus, and the home is hopeful of a return to normality in the coming months.

Roberta Brownlee, owner of Silverdale Nursing Home explained, “All of our residents have received the vaccines and they were 100 per-cent fully compliant.

“A very big percentage of our staff have also taken the vaccine. Most care partners of residents who come into the home have been vaccinated too.

“So I am delighted that we have all received the vaccine, and we will continue to have safety measures in place to ensure the safety of both our staff and residents.

“One year on, I am pleased that Silverdale is still a Covid-free home.

“This is down to the high standards that are upheld in the home in relation to infection control.”

Despite all care homes residents now receiving the vaccine, strict measures will remain in place to ensure the environment remains safe for both staff and residents.

Sharon Colhoun, manager of Knockmoyle Lodge care home outside Omagh, stressed there will no change in the safety precautions.

Ms Colhoun said, “Even with the vaccine programme, you still must strictly adhere to all guidance.

“So we are continuing with social distancing, hand washing, mask compliance and other measures.”