Oak House

We found the following examples of good practice.

The home had responded to peoples' choices and individual needs during the pandemic to help them carry out activities outside the home safely. For example, ensuring lateral flow testing each day before they leave the home and providing packs of masks and hand sanitiser to take with them.

The provider had not admitted any new resients to the home during the Covid 19 pandemic. However, systems were in place to ensure a safe transition would be achieved. This included adhering to current national guidelines, a test before entering the home, period of isolation and then a further test at the end of the isolation period. Staff carried out regular welfare and mental health checks throughout the isolation period.

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

The provider did not place any restrictions on the number of visitors that residents had but they needed to book in before coming to ensure the home was not overcrowded. Visitors had to carry out a test at the main entrance before entering the home.

The home had alternative methods to support social contact for visitors when residents were isolating. For example, residents using their own mobile phone or the use of the home's tablet for video calling.

The home had sufficient supplied of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). There were PPE stations throughout the premises. Staff had received training in infection prevention and control and how to don and doff PPE.

Each resident had received a tailor made support plan which was reviewed on a three monthly basis. The

plan included the use of PPE in different situations, the zoning system used within the home, identifying possible symptoms, testing and guidelines for visitors.

Easy to read guidance information was used to help explain situations relating to the pandemic. For example, how to identify symptoms, how to test and what Covid 19 is.

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 at the home.

All residents had received the Covid 19 vaccination.

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

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

The five questions we ask about services and what we found