Highfield House

We found the following examples of good practice.

There were procedures in place to support safe visiting, including appointments. Staff undertook basic screening of all visitors including temperature checks and a questionnaire to determine risks posed by visitors. Visitors were provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and guided to its safe use. Individual risk assessments had been completed for each person to determine the risks versus benefits for them to continue to receive designated family visitors.

The provider routinely tested people and staff for COVID-19. Staff had regular testing with rapid response lateral flow tests (LFT) as well as standard Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests weekly. LFT tests were available for use prior to visitors entering the home.

New admissions to the service were supported in line with best practice guidance. Admissions were expected to provide recent COVID-19 test results, were further tested by the service following admission and isolated upon arrival for 14 days to minimise the risk of potential infection to people already living at the service. These procedures would also be used for people returning to the home following a hospital stay.

Staff had been trained in infection control practices and individual risk assessments had been completed for each staff member.

The home was kept clean. Staff kept detailed records of their cleaning schedules, which included a rolling programme of continuously cleaning high touch surfaces, such as light switches, grab rails and door handles.

The service had an adequate supply of (PPE) to meet current and future demand. Staff were using this correctly and in accordance with current guidance and disposal was safe at the time of this inspection.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found