Sonesta Nursing Home Limited

The home had responded to peoples' choices and individual needs during the pandemic to help them carry out activities outside of the home. Due to the nature of the residents at the home, residents only ventured outside of the home when escorted by family members. Masks and sanitiser was provided and residents carried out a lateral flow test (LFT) when they returned to the home.

The provider admitted people directly from hospital seven days a week in order to help with the shortage of beds in secondary care. People who had a negative PCR were admitted to the home and then isolated for the appropriate time as set out in the government guidance at the time. Following this a further PCR would be taken.

The provider was following the current government guidance regarding care home visiting. People had three named visitors as an essential care giver. Visitors entered the home by an entrance in the garden area adjacent to the back of the lounge. An area of the lounge had been put to one side and partitioned off to act as a testing area. Once the visitor received a negative test, they would be escorted to the residents room. Visitors left by the same entrance to minimise ant spread of infection. Information was available for visitors to follow. Visitors were also instructed on how to use personal protective equipment (PPE).

The provider had adapted the home entrances to accommodate PPE and testing stations for people living at the home and their visitors.

the home had sufficient supplies of PPE. There was two PPE stations available on each floor with donning and doffing areas. Staff had received training in infection prevention and control and how to don and doff PPE.

The provider had a system in place to ensure staff had the necessary vaccinations and had completed the necessary Covid 19 testing prior to working in the home.

The provider had completed a number of health and safety risk assessments including infection prevention and control and an in depth BAME risk assessment with each member of staff. These were regularly updated and check lists were in place to ensure essential tasks such as ensuring testing was complete.

The layout of the service and communal areas supported social distancing. The premises looked clean and hygienic throughout. There were cleaning schedules in place and adequate ventilation.

The staff were aware of who to contact should they have an outbreak of Covid 19 and the protocols to follow.

We were assured that this service met good infection prevention and control guidelines as a designated care setting.

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