Christmas trees and decorations banned in some care homes due to 'infection control issues'

Care homes are being banned from putting up Christmas trees and decorations by some local authorities due to “infection control issues”.

Care Campaign for the Vulnerable (CCTV) has revealed it has received “distraught messages from care home managers” due to the ban.

One manager told CCTV: "I’m a manager of a residential nursing home. We are being told the local authority are trying to put a stop to homes decorating for Christmas!

"After everything that has been taken away from our residents this year, we’re now expected to take Christmas away from them too!! 'Infection control' issues. I had a visit from Infection Control and we’d started to decorate our reception area and she told us 'I wouldn’t bother going any further, because you’ll be told to rip them all down'.

“I asked the direct question to the local authority bosses and they’ve told me there’s no published guidance as of yet but they won’t allow Christmas decorations.

“Our hearts are breaking for our beautiful residents. We’ve taken them down. It seems they’re intent on taking away any little thing that brings them joy. That in itself is more dangerous to their well-being than Covid would ever be! And we’ve been through an outbreak and I stand by that statement.”

The care home manager said she has heard similar stories from other care homes.

A spokeswoman for Care Campaign for the Vulnerable said: “'I find this downright appalling. As if residents haven't lost enough this year already. Why deprive them of the joy of Christmas?”

Pitkerro Care Centre in Dundee is one of those making changes to the way it decorates its home due to the pandemic and is asking people to donate outdoor Christmas decorations and lights to put in the back garden.

Normally during the festive period the care home is covered in Christmas decorations and trees, but this year anything that cannot be wiped down daily is banned.

A spokeswoman for Hudson Healthcare, the operator of Pitkerro, said: “We are absolutely committed to making the best out of this festive season.

“As some of the traditional Christmas decorations that we would usually put on display cannot be thoroughly and regularly disinfected and wiped down due to the rigorous standards of infection control that need to observed as a result of the pandemic, particularly as the virus can live on surfaces for some time if not thoroughly and regularly cleaned, we are making some changes to how we decorate our Home this year.

"We have been working hard to source decorations and trees that meet these cleanliness standards, and although they might look a little different to the traditional items we usually display, we are dedicated to creating a holiday season that is memorable and enjoyable for all our residents and staff.

“We are pleased to share that as part of our plans we are also creating an outdoor winter wonderland where more traditional festive décor, including usual trees and lights, can be displayed and enjoyed by our residents and staff safely, and are even kicking off festivities earlier than usual to ensure that the holiday period is enjoyed for as long as possible.”

A care worker in Lancashire confirmed the ban saying: "It is true. We had guidance given at work saying the same."

Lancashire County Council has told care homes to only use decorations that can be cleaned and has said 'tinsel is not able to be cleaned during the time it is displayed therefore we are not recommending that tinsel is used.

'Ornaments and baubles are acceptable providing they are on a cleaning schedule with audit.'

The National Care Forum has responded to news of the ban calling it “baublegate”.

It has heard care homes are being told not to use real trees and only laminated single-use decorations, and that presents should be brought to care homes unwrapped so they can be wrapped by staff.

Liz Jones, NCF policy director, said: “This year, more than any other, the hope and joy of Christmas is needed. But it seems the spectre of infection prevention control overkill lurks.

"We have yet to find any evidence to underpin this latest flurry of bah humbug advice."