Little Bramingham Farm Residential Care Home

We found the following examples of good practice. The registered manager had implemented systems for ensuring checks on visitors were conducted and outcomes recorded to minimise the risks of people contracting COVID-19. This included screening questions, lateral flow testing and confirmation of vaccination status (for visiting professionals) as well as full use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Each person had a named essential care giver. The essential care givers took part in weekly testing regimes and had been able to offer support to people throughout COVID-19 outbreaks in the service. Relatives told us this was really helpful and they were happy with all visiting arrangements. The staff supported people to use social media platforms and telephones outside of face to face visits to stay in touch. People and visitors had a choice of visiting in people's bedrooms or in a designated visitors log cabin. People also had overnight visits to their relative's homes.

People, relatives and staff all took part in testing using PCR tests as well as lateral flow tests. They wore all required PPE correctly and had stations outside bedrooms, at the front entrance and other communal areas for safe disposal of PPE. The staff had tried using clear masks for communicating with people who needed to see facial expressions.

Each person had individual risk assessments about COVID-19. People who were unable to consent to testing, vaccinations or any visiting restrictions had completed a mental capacity assessment and been supported in their decision making.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found