Southernwood

We found the following examples of good practice.

A sanitising station had been set up inside the front door so that hands could be cleaned before people entered the building. Contact tracing and health declaration forms were completed on arrival at the home and staff checked people's temperature.

Supplies of PPE were available to staff throughout the premises. A PPE station had been organised close to people's bedrooms, for ease of access.

Staff had received training on infection prevention and control. This included use of PPE and how to put it on and take it off. The risks of potential exposure to the virus had been assessed for all staff, taking into account health conditions and high risks associated with people from black, Asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds.

Staff and people who used the service were tested for Covid-19. People were tested prior to admission to the home, such as if they needed to return from hospital. A permanent admission to the home in the summer months was managed well. The person had been able to visit and meet others before the national lockdown period commenced in March 2020.

The home had effectively managed an outbreak of Covid-19. Visitors to the home were restricted due to the outbreak. The home facilitated contact between people who use the service and their families using technology and telephone contact.

The home liaised with appropriate external bodies for advice and guidance, such as Public Health England and the local authority. GP surgeries had also been in regular contact. A business contingency plan was in place, to reduce the effects of potential disruption to people's care. There were policies and procedures to provide guidance for staff on safe working practices during the pandemic. Auditing and observation of care practice took place to ensure these were adhered to.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found