Care home visits resuming tomorrow as part of healthcare return

Visits to care homes will be allowed once again from tomorrow as part of a full return of health and care services on the Isle of Man.

Government has confirmed all health and care services across the Island are returning to normal tomorrow when the circuit-break lockdown is lifted just after Midnight on February 1.

Meanwhile, day services for older people and adults with learning disabilities will resume as will dementia day care and respite services.

Outpatient clinics at Noble’s Hospital and in the community will remain as booked next week, after which there will be a mixed approach of either face-to-face or virtual sessions.

Hospitals and mental health facilities will reopen to visitors and the pre-lockdown system of set times and visitor registration will be in place,

Staff and volunteers who’ve been shielding can return to work and the cafe and shops at Noble’s will return.

Elective surgeries which were suspended will resume, with urgent cases to take priority.

GP’s, dentists and opticians - which have remained open during lockdown - will continue to ask Covid-19 screening questions and also offer telephone consultations for patients where appropriate.

Elsewhere, the prescription home delivery service run by St John Ambulance will continue until next Sunday (February 7).

Officials add Covid assessments will continue to be carried out for patients attending clinics and outpatient facilities across the DHSC.