Sutton care home's 'pub pod' to ease Covid 19 distress for visitors and residents

Ashmere Nottinghamshire Ltd, which runs the Sutton Lodge, Sutton Manor and Sutton Court homes, on Priestsic Road, has developed a new visitor pub pod, the Ashmere Arms.

The external building, on the Ashmere site, is accessed by all the homes, and is in the style of a traditional pub.

It means families don’t have to enter the homes but can still visit.

Ashmere Nottinghamshire Ltd MD Claire Sharpe said: “It is a very appealing place in the style of a friendly pub, and it is a Covid 19 secure place where our residents and their families can really enjoy time together and a drink.

"One family at a time can book the pod and there is also a pub garden. It has been decorated in a pub style and features pictures from the surrounding towns to stimulate reminisce conversation.

"It’s has been a distressing time for many people during coronavirus, but our pub pod is a wonderful way for relatives to visit safely.”

The pod has a host of safety features including a special Ozone machine which cleans between visitors, anti-bacterial stations, disposable cups and sensor lighting and heating, so no one has to touch switches.

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It also has two entrances, hard surfaces and easy clean flooring, large windows for air circulation, an extra large entrance for bariatric wheelchairs and a decking with seating for the summer.

The Ashmere homes are at also the cutting edge of technology testing for Covid 19.

Claire added: “We are part of the CONDOR study testing a variety of Covid machines ascertaining their usability and reliability in homes. We were the first home in the country to receive an in-house Covid test machine.

"We are currently testing a “point of care” machine with gives Covid results in 11 minutes. It’s hoped, if the machine passes the trial, it can be used to allow visitors back into care homes.

“Our mission is to be the leading light in elderly care, all three of our care homes have been rated with a minimum of good with the Care Quality Commission and have been for over 20 years.”