The Bernard Sunley Nursing and Dementia Care Home

We found the following examples of good practice.

The provider took a range of positive steps to enable people to have visitors in line with the national guidance. For example, staff rearranged one of the rooms for a visitor testing and screening area with direct entry from the car park. Another room was equipped with safety screens and intercom to allow additional non-contact visits. The management also took additional steps to facilitate safe garden visits in good weather and there was clear signage and guidance for visitors.

The provider made environmental changes in the home to ensure effective infection prevention and control (IPC) and to support people's wellbeing. Staff created additional seating and sensory areas in the garden surrounding the building where people could enjoy activities and socialise outdoors. The provider purchased specialist equipment to disinfect the indoor spaces and we saw an allocated member of staff did this regularly. The management increased the availability of the hand disinfecting gel around the building, a mobile handwashing sink was purchased for garden visits and there was plenty of the required personal protective equipment (PPE) available for staff around the home. We saw staff wearing PPE correctly.

The management and nursing team successfully followed safe outbreak management plans when people tested positive for COVID-19. Staff adhered to strict IPC protocols and the management implemented effective zoning of the service and cohorting of staff which prevented the infection from spreading further. Staff told us they felt supported by the management and senior nursing staff and were provided with reminders on how to keep safe, how to observe good IPC practice or how to access wellbeing support if they needed it. Staff who fell ill with COVID-19 told us they were supported by the management throughout their self-isolation, for example by having regular contact with the registered manager.

Staff had access to regular testing as per the national testing program and were encouraged to come forward for COVID-19 vaccinations. The registered manger took into consideration staff's equality and diversity needs and consulted with the NHS to bring forward the second dose vaccination appointments. This was to support staff so any possible side effects would not negatively impact their ability to practice their religion.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found