Ashlette Dale Rest Home is a care home without nursing for up to 16 people. People using the service may have a disability, a mental health condition or they may require care and support for substance misuse. Ashlette Dale Rest Home is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided.
We were assured that this service met good infection prevention and control guidelines.
• Alternative forms of maintaining social contact were used to ensure people were able to stay in touch with their friends and relatives; for example: through using video calls and visiting in communal garden or through meeting at a closed window. Technology was also used effectively to support communication with other visitors such as professionals and for clinical consultations.
• Staff wore appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when providing care and support.
• There were designated areas for donning/doffing PPE.
• The service ensured patients had been tested for COVID-19 by the hospital, or in the community before they agreed to admit them.
• For people who lacked mental capacity, the service had considered if any new measures and arrangements in relation to infection, prevention and control (IPC) amounted to a ‘deprivation of liberty’ and had taken appropriate action.
• The testing scheme for all staff and residents known as ‘whole home testing’ had been conducted and was on ongoing process.
• Risk assessments had been carried out on people and staff belonging to higher risk groups and actions had been taken to reduce the risk of these contracting Coronavirus.
• All care home workers had a test without delay if they became symptomatic and the frequency of testing followed current guidance.
• Communal areas such as outdoor spaces and garden areas were used creatively to help with IPC.
• All areas were uncluttered so cleaning could take place effectively.
• Employees in the clinically ‘extremely vulnerable’ group do not work in the care setting.
• All staff in high risk groups such as black and minority ethnic (BAME) groups had been risk assessed, and adjustments had been made.
• The registered manager demonstrated a good understanding of when and how to access local IPC resources (for example the local health protection team or infection control nurse) when they needed advice and support.