Three Aberdeenshire care homes are among many across Scotland to receive thermal image cameras to reduce the spread of Covid-19.
Balhousie Care Group is in the process of installing Hikvision thermal imaging cameras into all 25 of its care homes across Aberdeenshire, Angus, Tayside, Fife, Falkirk and at the company’s head office in Perth.
In an effort to take “every possible precautionary measure” to protect residents and staff from Covid-19, the cameras are designed to detect the outer temperature of the body upon entering the building.
The cameras will set off an alert if someone’s temperature is elevated and they will be asked if they can sit to one side while a manual thermometer test is conducted.
Alastrean, Huntly and Milton Mews are the three Aberdeenshire care homes that will receive the technology.
The residential care provider said it has invested £7,000 per home for the cameras to be installed.
MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Alexander Burnett praised Balhousie Care Group for “putting its residents and staff first by exploring new innovative ways of helping to stop the spread of Covid-19”.
He added: “This piece of technology will make Ballhousie care homes in Huntly and Aboyne much safer and help to limit the spread of Covid-19.”
Care home staff are also wearing PPE as well as “following rigorous infections control procedures” in addition to the new technology.
All non-essential visits to care homes within the Group have been suspended since March 11.
Group chief executive officer at Balhousie Care Group, Jill Kerr, said: “While continuing to follow advice from Scottish Care and the Scottish Government, we wanted to ensure we were taking every possible precautionary measure to do everything we can to protect our staff and residents and keep the virus out of our homes as much as we can.
“The Hikvision cameras are a highly effective way to monitor temperatures and we hope they will reassure our staff and residents that their health and well being is our first priority.”
Regional manager at Hikvision UK, Scott Davis said he was “pleased” the organisations products “could provide a preliminary screening solution”.
He added: “Technology coupled with good hygiene practice definitely has a support role to play during these challenging times.
“We also really appreciate how the installation by McKenna Fire and Security was managed quickly and professionally making optimal use of the equipment.”
