Modular building expert Portakabin has helped create some real Christmas magic for care home residents and their families with the installation of special COVID-safe visitor pods at over 25 care homes across Wales.
Approached by the Welsh Government in mid-November with a plan to try and pull off this Christmas miracle, in only three weeks Portakabin was able to design, produce and install the special visitor pods.
Including additional ventilation, screens and an emergency call system, the visitor pods will allow care home residents to meet family members safely and spend vital time together over the festive period.
Deputy Minister for Health and Social Care, Julie Morgan, said: “This year has been one of the most difficult all of us have experienced in Wales, and the effects of coronavirus have been felt throughout our health and social care sectors.
“The arrival of these care home visiting pods will help some of our most vulnerable people safely spend valuable time with family and friends.
“Together with the start of the vaccine roll-out to care home residents, we are seeing a glimmer of light at the end of what has been a long tunnel. I want to thank our social care staff for the fantastic lengths they have gone to keep their residents safe.”
Robert Snook, Director and General Manager at Portakabin commented: “Offering a quick solution for additional space — with no compromise on quality, whether that be for a single assessment pod or vast clinical ward spaces — has become the norm this year. From early in the pandemic we had numerous Trusts asking us for support with very quick turnarounds. This proven track record has meant that demand has continued to grow as the UK moves through the pandemic with hospitals and surgeries still requiring urgent space as well as testing facilities.
“This experience of quick turnarounds stood us in good stead when the call came in to help create these buildings. Seeing loved ones is at the top of everyone’s Christmas list this year, so we felt we had to accept the challenge. It has meant all hands to the pump to ensure our specially-designed solution was able to be delivered on time; however, seeing the first care home resident finally see their family face-to-face feels truly magical and it’s something the whole team can be proud of.”
