11 November 2020
During an inspection looking at part of the service
Rowan/Beech House comprises of two residential care homes in different locations but within close proximity to each other. Both homes are terraced housing over two floors with a back garden area.
We found the following examples of good practice
•The provider had appropriate arrangements for visiting to help prevent the spread of Covid 19. All visitors were required to have their temperatures taken and complete a Covid 19 risk assessment form on arrival. All visitors were expected to wear a face covering.
• The service had a garden area to facilitate safe visiting for families.
•The provider had appropriate arrangements to test people and staff for Covid 19 and was following government guidance on testing.
•The provider had ample Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at the service to ensure that staff could provide care safely. We saw that the majority of staff had attended training regarding Covid 19 and the appropriate use of PPE.
• Although the provider was not keeping formal risk assessments for staff, their health and well-being were being discussed in supervision and staff were enabled to access the furlough scheme if necessary.
•Thorough cleaning was done daily of all communal areas and people's bedrooms.
•The provider ensured that people using the service could maintain links with family members and friends. People were supported to keep in touch by phone and virtual technology. Weather permitting the garden area and an external room were available for family visiting.
•All people admitted to the home were required to have a test before admission. The registered manager had developed a protocol to enable the safe admission to the service.
•The provider had a named external clinical lead who was providing regular weekly contact with the service.
We were mostly assured that the service met good infection prevention and control guidelines.
¿Whilst there have been no cases of CV-19 at the service, we were not confident that all staff were wearing PPE at all times at both of the services. The registered manager told us they would ensure additional checks were made f and appropriate use of PPE was discussed at each supervision and team meeting.
¿Whilst we could see the provider had updated policies in March 2020 regarding Covid 19, current written policies did not always reflect current government guidance and best practice. The registered manager acknowledged this was the case. However, the majority of staff understood and were working within best practice guidelines. The registered manager sent us a plan for the provider to update all the policies to ensure they were accurately reflecting current practice.
¿Since the visit the registered manager put further controls in place to ensure full compliance with good infection prevention and control guidelines. One staff member who had not undertaken suitable training has since completed this. There are also additional checks for staff in the use and disposal of PPE.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.