Ash Villa is a residential care home for ten people with learning disabilities. There were ten people living at the home at the time of our inspection. The service was a large property which allowed people a lot of space; for example, there was a large extension on the ground floor which allowed for additional living space. The accommodation was also spread across two floors with communal areas and secure garden space.The registered manager was not available on the day of the inspection; however, we spoke with the deputy manager.
The area used for staff don and doffing process was not suitably placed. We spoke with the deputy manager and they addressed this before we left and confirmed the new area to be used. The provider was also working with Public Health England to ensure they had appropriate safety measures in place.
We found the following examples of good practice.
There was a restriction on visiting the service at the time of the inspection. There were procedures in place for visitors to the service, including healthcare professionals and relatives to reduce and prevent the spread of infection.
The provider ensured people maintained contact with relatives by staff supporting them with telephone calls and letter writing. The deputy manager told us they had accommodated garden visits during the summer and was reviewing visits for the winter once they had reviewed current guidance about accepting visitors.
There was a clear regular programme for staff and people living in the home to be tested for COVID-19. This meant swift action could be taken if or when positive tests were received.
Staff followed procedures for don and doffing PPE and how to dispose of it safely, in line with GOV.uk guidelines. All staff wore appropriate PPE, which was in good supply.
A robust contingency plan was in place and used for when positive testing or isolation for staff or people arose. There were arrangements to deploy staff across the service to reduce the risk of cross infection. Agency staff were used to cover shortfalls in staffing, due to staff testing positive for COVID-19.
Handover meetings were completed in line with safe distancing guidelines.
A generic risk assessment was in place for people in high risk groups, but not individualised to identify personal risks. The deputy manager gave an example of vulnerability for people and the staff team. They assured us that adjustments if required to staff working practices would be put in place as and when required to keep them safe. Staff who were noted at risk were shielding at this time.
People using the service had tested positive and were self-isolating in their own rooms or communal areas when appropriate. Arrangements were in place to reduce the spread of infection. Peoples individual needs were considered to ensure everyone was kept safe.
Housekeeping staff told us they had increased the cleaning regime. The cleaning schedules had been consistently completed for the weekly and monthly tasks around the home environment. Staff told us they try to deep clean every other day and we were assured the cleaning was being completed. The deputy manager had identified that the new ways of working had not been filtered down to all cleaning staff and was addressing this.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.