22 February 2022
During an inspection looking at part of the service
We found the following examples of good practice.
The registered manager had put systems in place to book visitors in at a time that suited people and required visitors to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in order to reduce the risk of potential infection transmission. People who used the service and their relatives had access to a visiting room with a clear separating screen and a microphone system. This meant that when there were cases of COVID-19 in the service, people were still able to continue seeing their relatives and friends.
There were systems in place to check staff working in the service and visiting professionals had received their COVID-19 vaccinations before being deployed. The service had managed workforce pressures to ensure people were supported by a consistent staff team that was effectively deployed.
The premises were clean and well-maintained. Staff had increased the frequency of cleaning at the start of the pandemic including frequently touched points such as door handles, pendants and remote controls. The registered manager had allocated care staff to work on particular floors to reduce the risk of potential infection transmission.
The management team had ensured there was sufficient PPE available in the event of an outbreak. There was PPE available throughout the premises along with appropriate waste disposal facilities. PPE in the home was stored in creative ways to ensure staff had quick access, to reduce the risk of contamination and to reduce the aesthetic impact of standard PPE stations on people who used the service. The registered manager had ensured regular ‘spot checks’ and a daily walkaround were undertaken to ensure staff were using the appropriate PPE.
The registered manager had liaised with appropriate agencies such as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) when people tested positive for COVID-19. We saw posters across the home reminding staff of best practice guidance in relation to infection prevention and control.