16 November 2020
During an inspection looking at part of the service
We found the following examples of good practice.
¿ The provider’s policies and procedures for infection, control and prevention were in date and included those relating to a pandemic and other infections such as Influenza. Regular audits and checks were taking place to ensure the service was operating in line with these policies and procedures, and in line with national and local COVID-19 guidance.
¿ Risks to people and staff arising from COVID-19 had been assessed and measures were in place to reduce these risks. This included regular COVID-19 testing of people and staff, appropriate and safe use of personal protective equipment (PPE), use of shielding and self-isolation where appropriate and required, and enhanced cleaning, waste and laundry arrangements.
¿ Staff had received appropriate and relevant training and were competent in their practice. This included the donning and doffing of PPE and adherence to Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPs) relevant when caring for people receiving mechanical support to breathe.
¿ Admissions to the service from hospital or other care settings were managed safely. The service was adhering to national COVID-19 guidance in relation to this. One person’s admission had been postponed (during the period of the national lockdown) until managers were assured, they had access to the specialist support required to safely facilitate this admission.
¿ The service had made adaptions to how it worked and communicated with other professionals to ensure a multi-disciplinary approach was maintained. This meant that people’s needs and treatment plans were regularly reviewed by all the healthcare professionals and disciplines involved in a person’s care and treatment. The same approach applied when making decisions in people’s best interests.
¿ Arrangements were in place to support safe visiting by relatives. The service was adhering to guidance given by the local Director of Public Health as well as wider national guidance in relation to care home visiting. Relatives were kept informed about necessary changes to visiting arrangements and staff were supporting both people and their relatives during these times.
¿ People were supported to remain in virtual contact with their family members using electronic devices. Wi-Fi to the building had been enhanced and additional mobile phones had been purchased.
¿People were supported to socially distance but to remain socially engaged and to take part in activities which benefitted them.
¿ Managers met regularly with staff and people in order to support effective communication. People had access to a ‘residents forum’ which met with managers regularly to discuss any issues arising and listen to people’s feedback. Managers gathered feedback from this forum to support their monitoring of the use of PPE.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.