Residents at a Sevenoaks care home can now see their relatives indoors once more without any PPE, thanks to the creation of a sealed-off visitor's space.

Loved ones of people staying at Nesbit House Care Home enter a self-contained room which has a floor to ceiling clear screen, with their relative sitting on the other side.

The suite is complete with microphones they can speak into and relatives can enter and exit the home without having any contact with the main building. Bosses say this maximises infection control measures.

Like care homes across the county, the home closed to all non-essential visits in early March. However, within weeks relatives were able to stop in the garden and see residents, with PEE and social distancing in place.

The suit will allow for these precious family meetings to continue inside the home as winter sets in, while also being cosy and comfortable, thanks to the extensive renovation.

Manager of the Badgers Mount home, Charles Knowles said: “It’s really important to us that our residents and families can maintain relationships because seeing loved ones is a key part to anyone’s emotional and mental wellbeing.

"This has been one of our greatest focuses during COVID-19.

“Now we have a wonderful family and friends lounge which allows people to stay connected and maintain the ties that are so crucial to everyone.

“The lounge is a welcome addition to our home, and we are glad to see it being used so joyfully.”

The area is cleaned between each visit.

Resident Heather Griffin, 91, was delighted to see her son David Griffin through the screen.

She said: “It was wonderful to see my son. I can see him now so clearly through the screen, it was a lovely visit.”

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