Another Daft Question

[LastGoldenDaysOfSummer]

I'm disabled and have a mobile hairdresser call to cut my hair.

I didn't bother asking her over the first lock down because I thought she wouldn't be allowed to call. However, when she came to cut it after the lock down she said she would have been able to come because it's personal care.

She worked all through the lock down one day a week in a nursing home, doing the hair of the residents. My hair's ok for now but I'll need it cut before Christmas - is it ok for her to come?

Mmmm I would say no. She shouldn't be working and it's a bit of a stretch to say hairdressing is 'personal care' as that should relate to care that is essential IMO. Changing dressings or helping patients to wash or use the bathroom etc.

I don't know where she stands legally, but someone going in and out of many peoples' houses during a lockdown isn't to be encouraged is it?

Not allowed during the 4 week lockdown period no.

But she was allowed into the nursing home during the last lock down. She is tested every week and wears full PPE.

I'm her only other mobile client apart from the nursing home. She works 2 days a week in a salon, normally.

I can wait, unless it's extended but I'm surprised people say it isn't ok.

I don’t think haircuts can really be included in essential care, even if you’re disabled. I’m surprised she was able to go into a nursing home. Someone helping you with your physical care for example would be different. Mobile hairdressers aren’t permitted into the homes of able bodied people during the lockdown

But she was allowed into the nursing home during the last lock down. She is tested every week and wears full PPE. I think the nursing home might be breaking the rules in that case. Haircuts are not essential care.

Everyone can wait for a haircut, last lockdown was about 3 months wasn't it?

She would be allowed into a nursing home for people who cant wash their own hair. If you can wash your own hair then you shouldnt be using a hairdresser when they have all been told to close. If you cant wash your hair yourself then it would be personal care. Shouldnt be cutting though.

She wasn't generally cutting hair in the home, to be fair. She was washing and drying the hair of those unable to do it themselves. Sometimes she'd cut it if it needed it.

It was one less thing for the staff to do when they were rushed off their feet.

Cross posted with SecSchool.

So not really doing mobile hairdressing more a carer in the home which is fine if they can't do it themselves. Does sound a bit iffy though I assume she has all the required training etc

It sounds as if the nursing home are treating her as a member of staff like their care or activity assistants . Mums care home stopped hairdressing visits in March ; they have a care assistant experienced in hairdressing who is doing al the residents hair . But If this nursing home is testing her they are treating her as their permanent staff .

I would say that if your disability means you can't cut your own hair it might be ok for her to come .

Thanks for the replies. I'll be ok until December but might have to have her come then even if lock down is extended.