The challenge: maintain continuous care and compliance during flu season
Valley View Care Home, part of the Curo Care Group, provides specialised care for 24 residents in Pellon, Halifax. Like every home, Valley View’s team must protect vulnerable residents and staff from seasonal illnesses, including flu and Covid-19, while staying compliant with CQC requirements.
In April 2024, Regulation 9A of the Health and Social Care Act came into force. This new standard requires care homes to facilitate visits for residents and make it easier for residents to leave for appointments and social events.
As part of these regulations, homes like Valley View must now take ‘necessary and proportionate precautions’ to reduce the heightened risk of infection that comes with increased visitor access.
The solution: air filtration units with certified HEPA 14 filters
After coming to JLA for solutions to improve air quality and actively reduce the spread of infections, Valley View began a successful trial of two of JLA’s air filtration units. These medical-grade systems use certified HEPA 14 filters to remove 99.995% of harmful airborne particles, including bacteria and viruses, and contribute to a much healthier environment in the home.
"We’re so pleased that the air filtration units are in place at Valley View Care Home. We’ve noticed how the air feels and smells cleaner, and have seen a reduction in influenza, colds and Covid-19 cases following the installation."
Critically, JLA’s air filtration units have also helped Valley View reduce staff absences during the winter season – minimising disruption to care as well as the need for expensive temporary cover.
"We’ve seen a big reduction in staff sickness levels since we installed the air filtration units. This is great, because it means our residents can keep seeing the people they trust – day in, day out."
The air filtration units have also contributed to Valley View’s operational efficiency. This is because JLA’s units consume 50% less energy than competitor models, and use filters with up to double the lifespan, which reduces the need for frequent replacements and brings down longer-term maintenance costs.
JLA continues to handle maintenance for the air filtration units, allowing Valley View’s care team to concentrate on what matters most – caring for their residents.
"Whether it’s cleaning the filters or giving us advice, we’re grateful that JLA’s team is highly professional and always keeps us to date with things ."