Parkside

Safe arrangements were in place for visitors to the service. Visitors to the home were checked before entering the main area of the building to make sure the risk of catching and/or spreading infections was minimised. Staff ensured visitors had taken a lateral flow test and tested negative for COVID-19. Visitors were provided with suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) to wear, such as a face mask and had their temperature taken and recorded. Visiting professionals were asked to provide evidence of their COVID-19 vaccination status prior to entering the home. All staff coming on shift were required to take a lateral flow test and provide the management team with the result before starting work. Only staff that had a negative test result were permitted to work.

The service was adequately staffed. The provider ensured they were able to cover for staff absences due to COVID-19, and continue to meet people's needs. During a recent outbreak of COVID-19 in the home, the provider continued to allow visits to people in the home by essential care givers. Other relatives or friends of people in the home were permitted window visits from a visitor's pod located on the ground floor. Isolation procedures were in place to control the spread of infection. People self-isolated in their rooms when necessary and a sign was placed on their bedroom door to alert people and staff they were self isolating for a specified number of days.

A regular programme of testing for COVID-19 was in place for people and staff. Policies, procedures and risk assessments related to COVID-19 were up to date which supported staff to keep people safe. The provider kept up to date with government and local guidance on vaccinations, self isolation, visiting and outbreaks to ensure they were following it correctly.

All staff had completed relevant training in infection control and PPE. We saw staff using PPE correctly and safely. Handwashing guidance was displayed throughout the home and additional PPE was available for staff and visitors. A daily cleaning system ensured the premises was kept clean at all times to maintain hygiene and help prevent the spread of infections.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found