The Wedge Residential Home

We found the following examples of good practice.

People were supported to keep in touch with families. Visits were planned and well organised to reduce risk and avoid the potential spread of infection. Alternative forms of maintaining social contact were used for friends and relatives. For example, keeping in touch using telephones, regular e-mails to family members and video calling for meetings.

Visits were by appointment and staggered to minimise visitor numbers. The home had designed, and built, an enclosed structure to enable socially distanced visits. The structure had separate entrances with a clear partition separating people from their visitors to reduce risks. There were soft furnishings and PPE stations to ensure both people and visitors were safe and comfortable. The structure could be used all year-round.

Measures were in place, and clearly communicated, to prevent relatives, professionals and others visiting from spreading infection on entering the premises. All visitors were screened for symptoms of acute respiratory infection before being allowed to enter the home.

A testing scheme for all staff and residents had been implemented, known as 'whole home testing'. The provider had tests for regular 'whole home testing' as well as tests for any suspected or symptomatic residents or staff. People and staff had individual risk assessments in place, and adjustments had been made.

Staff were trained and knew how to immediately instigate full infection control measures to care for people with symptoms of COVID-19 to avoid the virus spreading to other people and staff members. Staff had received training from an infection, prevention and control (IPC) specialist. Arrangements were in place so staff could appropriately socially distance during breaks, handovers and meetings.

The provider had strengthened their community links during the pandemic. For example, the local GP surgery had implemented regular and consistent contact with the service to ensure people continued to have their needs met.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found