25 January 2022
During an inspection looking at part of the service
We found the following examples of good practice.
People were supported to have visits from their friends and family in various ways throughout the pandemic. When face to face visits had not been possible, people had window/door visits and visits in the garden. The garden was able to be accessed through a separate entrance and the registered manager had bought new garden furniture to support these visits. People receiving end of life support were able to have visitors throughout the pandemic. People also used phone and video calls to keep in touch with their loved ones. Staff provided people and their relatives with a monthly newsletter to keep them informed of what’s happening at the home.
The home was clean and hygienic. The registered manager had bought new dining room chairs and armchairs. The armchair covers could be removed, and machine washed. Personal protective equipment (PPE) stations had been placed throughout the home for staff to access easily.
Communal areas of the home were spacious and there were different areas on the ground floor where people could relax in small groups. People were supported to go out safely and were encouraged to wear a mask and wash their hands when they returned to the home. The layout of the home meant that in the event of an outbreak, people could be supported to safely isolate in small zones around their bedrooms.
Staff had formed strong links with the local community during the pandemic. People and staff had received chocolate donations, free pizzas and a chocolate fountain from various local businesses. The local school had sent people pen pal letters, postcards and cards. When shopping had been difficult, staff had involved people in the buying and sorting of bulk items. This included people’s favourite sweets and toiletries.
Staff had tried hard to keep people’s spirits up during the various lock downs. This included making sure special events such as Birthdays were celebrated by everyone in the home and people’s relatives where possible. Staff had held around the world tasting sessions where people could sample foods from different countries. The registered manager had also arranged for a Shetland pony to be brought into the home to meet people.
The management team supported staff throughout the pandemic. The registered manager had provided staff with an employee assistance programme that focused on health and wellbeing. Staff could access this for support with mental and physical wellbeing and staff could be referred for counselling and talking therapies through this. Staff had also been given small tokens of appreciation throughout the pandemic and the management team had an open-door policy so staff could come and speak to them any time about any worries.