An innovative 'visiting pod' set up in a Birkenhead care home will allow residents to be reunited with family members from next week.

The families and residents of Oxton Grange Care Home will have access to the state of the art visiting pod, which is fully equipped with digital temperature scanner, intercom system, heating and lighting.

Residents have only been able to contact their relatives by video calls up until the government announced that visits were allowed to take place in residential homes.

Alan Southall, Activity Coordinator at Oxton Grange Care Home said: “We’ve been unable to have any in home visits because of the guidelines so this is really huge.

“We’ve taken the residents out to see the pod and they’re blown away. They love it and all think it’s brilliant. It’s even been decked out like Santa’s grotto for Christmas!”

The pod is track and traced and will enable relatives to book appointments to meet at a safe social distance.

Alan said: “The only thing we can’t replace as carers is family contact. It’s so important for our residents to have face to face time with their loved ones. It’s going to make a huge difference to both our residents and relatives' mental wellbeing.”

Oxton Grange Care Home looks after people who are living with dementia, meaning the pod will have a significant impact on their care.

Alan added: “Families are a big part of care for people with dementia so being able to stay connected is really important.

“Especially around this time of year because Christmas is when people are thinking about their families.

 “We over hear the conversations of residents wondering if they are going to be able to see their families before Christmas. You can’t imagine what it’s like not being able to see your loved ones.”