15 June 2021
During an inspection looking at part of the service
We found the following examples of good practice.
Staff greeted visitors at the entrance to the home and took their temperature, and ensured they were wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Visitors to the service completed a lateral flow test and were only permitted to enter if the test was negative.
Arrangements for visiting were displayed clearly so health and social care professionals, friends and family knew what was expected of them to keep people safe.
Visitors had to leave their contact details as part of a track and trace and complete a health declaration. There was a supply of masks available at the entrance to the home for visitors and a good system of meeting and escorting to an area of the home to enable hand washing to maintain people's safety.
Routine testing was in place for staff, visitors and people who use the service. Where people lacked capacity individual assessments and best interest decisions had been made in consultation with health care professionals and family in relation to testing and vaccinations. People and staff were supported and encouraged to have their vaccinations.
Staff wore appropriate PPE and the provider had access to sufficient supplies. There were designated areas for staff to safely put on and take off their PPE.
We observed a person who had recently been admitted to the home using communal areas prior to the completion of the 14-day isolation period. The registered manager provided us with assurances that the person had been tested on three occasions and all had returned a negative result. They said they had used a risk-based approach and taking advice from Public Health England on the period of isolation because this person had lived on their own prior to admission. Documentation was in place to support the decision process. Where people were discharged from hospital or another care facility people were expected to self-isolate for the 14 days in line with government guidance.
The provider and registered manager had ensured that staff had up to date information to keep people and staff safe. The organisation had been responsive and supported staff and offered up to date guidance and ensuring there was enough PPE available.
All staff had received additional infection prevention and control training, and training in RESTORE2 was underway. This training provides a framework for staff to recognise the early signs of a person's health deteriorating meaning health intervention could be sought quicker. People and staff’s temperatures were taken daily as a means of early detection of COVID-19.
Staff were well supported, and risk assessments had been completed to ensure they were not at higher risk due to the pandemic. Staff we spoke with told us they felt safe whilst at work.
Three people told us they also felt safe, they felt well supported by the staff and confirmed the home was regularly cleaned.
There were clear policies, procedures, quality assurance checks and contingency plans in place in respect of managing the pandemic and keeping people and staff safe. The provider had commissioned an expert to help with ensuring the service was safe during the pandemic, which included taking part in a study run by a local university.