25 March 2021
During an inspection looking at part of the service
We found the following examples of good practice.
¿Health care professionals, essential contract workers and relatives have to comply with safety procedures to access the home. These include having their temperature taken and having a COVID-19 test undertaken. Relatives can visit their family member if they wish by making an appointment and following the safety procedures.
¿ For a new person to be admitted to the home a negative COVID-19 test result and a period of self-isolation would be required to minimise the risk of infection outbreaks.
¿ Single occupancy bedrooms and spacious, airy, living areas promoted social distancing and helped prevent infection transmission.
¿ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was available throughout the home. Regular observations were carried out by management to ensure staff wore PPE correctly.
¿ Staff took a COVID-19 test three times a week. If they tested positive, they would be required to self-isolate in line with government directives. Best Interest Meetings (BIM) for people who did not have the capacity to decide independently had been undertaken in relation to individual people being tested. These were presently being re-evaluated.
¿ The premises were homely but also clean and hygienic. Staff told us they had always been proud of the standard of cleanliness of the premises.
¿ Staff had received a range of training in Infection Prevention Control (IPC) procedures that included, COVID-19 awareness, donning and doffing and COVID-19 testing processes.
¿ The IPC policy was being reviewed. Staff had access to a raft of guidance including specific COVID- 19 actions to be taken, and updates from government and the local Public Health department.