Bolton residents could soon visit loved-ones in care homes under plans being drawn up by health and social care leaders.
Since the beginning of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, additional restrictions in Greater Manchester have meant that families have only been able to visit relatives in care homes in “exceptional circumstances”, but those who have been kept apart in the borough of Bolton could soon be safely reunited.
There are a total of 57 care homes in Bolton, with 1,550 residents.
Bolton Council – along with colleagues across Greater Manchester – has been pushing for the definition of “exceptional circumstances” to be expanded, as this would take into account the negative impact that a long period without receiving visitors can have on care home residents.
And it has now been confirmed by Bolton Council that window visits, or visits in a garden pod, can resume in instances where an appropriate and robust risk assessment is in place.
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Individual care homes will be responsible for carrying out a risk assessment and will be supported by the council to draw up plans for safe visiting. Documents will be reviewed and approved by infection control specialists and the Director of Public Health to support care homes to ensure they have the correct safety measures in place.
Plans are being drawn up to allow care home visits in Bolton.
💬 “Our priority is the mental wellbeing of residents, as well as their physical health”
✅ Window visit or garden pods ✅ Nominated carer or family members ✅ Risk assessment needed
Visits would be limited to a nominated carer or family members.
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Speaking on the announcement of the plans, Cllr Andy Morgan – Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Adult Services – said: “It has been a long and distressing period for both our care home residents and their relatives.
“Our priority is always the safety of those living in care homes, but that means looking after their mental wellbeing as well as their physical health [and] that is why we have pushed for this change in the rules which will allow residents to see their loved ones in a safe environment through closed window visits or visiting pods.
“With the current high rates of COVID-19 community transmission in Bolton, it is important we do all we can to ensure safe arrangements for families to visit their loved ones.”
You can find more information via the Bolton Council website here.
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Three tiny ‘chaos potatoes’ have been born at Chester Zoo and they’re so cute
Emily Sergeant
Three tiny ‘chaos potatoes’ have been born at Chester Zoo… and they’re really flipping cute.
Born to parents Maris and Albert in late summer, the three rock hyrax pups – only affectionately known as ‘chaos potatoes’ – have just passed their first vet check with a clean bill of health, and now weigh roughly 350g.
Hyraxes are found across sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, where they live among rocky landscapes and are most active in daylight.
The litter includes two boys and one girl, and keepers at Chester Zoo have decided to give them potato-themed names – Russ, Spud, and Jackie.
Three tiny ‘chaos potatoes’ have been born at Chester Zoo / Credit: Chester Zoo
Currently, the three pups are a fraction of the size of the adults, which can weigh up to 4kg, but despite their small stature, they have an unlikely relative.
Believe it or not, rock hyraxes are actually a part of the same evolutionary group as elephants, as well as sirenians, which are the family of aquatic mammals that includes dugongs and manatees.
“Hyraxes are one of those species that you have to look for, but once you’ve seen them, they are fascinating to watch,” explained Megan Carpenter, who is a Keeper at Chester Zoo.
“The pups are little chaos potatoes. They are much more energetic than their parents and sometimes get the zoomies, darting about and testing their climbing and parkour skills.
“In contrast, the adults often wedge themselves into corners and grip on to steep rock faces for hours at a time. They’re incredibly well adapted to living among rocks and are much better climbers than you might expect.”
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
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A TV channel playing Christmas films 24/7 is now back on air in the UK
Emily Sergeant
Do you think it’s too early for the ‘C word’? Never mind, you’ve already clicked on this article.
Sure, we may only be into our second full week of September, but given the fact the weather these past couple of days hasn’t exactly screamed summer, it already feels like the festive season is around the corner – but whether or not you think it’s too early to be talking about Christmas, it’ll soon be too tricky to escape from.
Especially not when the famous TV channel showing festive film favourites non-stop is now back on air in the UK.
Yes, you heard that right – Christmas films, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
If you’re ready to wave goodbye to summer, and in welcome autumn and winter with open arms, then there’s arguably no better way of getting into the festive spirit than with the long-awaited and highly-anticipated return of the TV channel that’s charmed audiences for over half a decade now.
GREAT! Christmas the UK’s biggest seasonal channel, and it’s now live on Sky, Freesat, Freeview and Virgin Media.
You can expect almost four months of back-to-back seasonal movies.
The 24-hour feel-good and free-to-air channel will be bursting with non-stop Christmas spirit, and will be showing a heartwarming lineup of festive films – including some absolute fan-favourite classics that make it to screens every year without fail, alongside some cheesy Hallmark classics, new channel premieres, and so much more.
The Manc -
29th October 2020 
