Archived: Seabrooke Manor Care Home

We found the following examples of good practice.

Non-essential visits for relatives and friends had been stopped due to the lockdown. Plans were in place to resume the visits in a safe way after the lockdown. Visiting professionals were required to arrange an appointment for specific days. They were required to declare if they had any symptoms of COVID-19 and their temperatures were checked at point of entry to minimise the potential of infection being brought into the home. They also had to complete a declaration form to declare symptoms.

The provider had made appropriate arrangements to test people and staff for COVID-19 and was following government guidance on regular testing. Measures were in place to ensure the safety of staff and people should they had tested positive for COVID-19.

Staff had received appropriate training and support to manage COVID-19. Staff had received training on COVID-19, infection control and the use of Protective Personal Equipment (PPE). Systems were in place to support staff if they became unwell and when they returned to work.

Measures were in place to ensure there were adequate supplies of PPE. PPE was checked on a daily basis to minimise risks of shortages. We observed staff wearing PPE and supporting people to maintain social distancing. Furniture had been rearranged to support social distancing.

Staff took people’s temperatures twice daily to check they had not developed symptoms. Systems were in place to ensure people were safe if their temperature went above expected readings such as self-isolating.

The management team carried out infection control audits to ensure risks associated with infections were minimised. A cleaning schedule was in place with particular emphasis on cleaning and sanitising regular touch points, such as door handles, corridor rails and light switches.

The service had recently changed providers and this was the first inspection since the new provider took over.

There was a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Staff were knowledgeable about safeguarding and knew how to identify and raise safeguarding concerns to keep people safe. Risks associated with people's care and support had been assessed.

People received support from trained staff who were skilled and knowledgeable in meeting their needs. Staff received on-going training whilst working for the provider. Effective recruitment practices were followed to help ensure all staff were fit, able and qualified to do their jobs. Staffing levels were regularly reviewed depending on the needs of people who used the service.

There was a policy and procedures about safe administration of medicines. People were supported to take their medicines in the way they wanted.

People’s needs were assessed and care and support was planned and delivered in line with their individual care needs. People or their representatives had been involved in writing their care plans. Staff understood their responsibly to help people maintain their health and wellbeing. People were supported to have a healthy and nutritious diet.

Staff understood when and how to support people’s best interest if they lacked capacity to make certain decisions about their care. They had received training about the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Staff were knowledgeable about the people they cared for. They were treated them with kindness and respect and encouraged people to do as much for themselves as possible.

Staff took time to listen and interact with people so they received the care and support they needed. They encouraged people to make choices about their care and their views were taken into account.

People were involved in activities which they had chosen to help ensure they were not socially isolated.

The provider had a complaints policy. People and their relatives were comfortable to raise any concerns with the management team or with a member of staff if something was wrong.

There was a system in place to enable people, relatives, staff and other professionals to share their views about the service provided. There were also systems to audit and identify what improvements needed to be made.