Coniston House

We found the following examples of good practice.

Staff were observed wearing, regularly changing and disposing of personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly to reduce the risk of infection. Lateral flow tests were being used in line with government guidance, and staff were routinely completing Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests which decreased the risks of infection being present without detection.

Feedback from staff and relatives was that there were sufficient staff to meet peoples needs. At the height of the pandemic and during an outbreak staff resided at the care home to reduce infection transmission at to ensure peoples needs were met. One relative told us, "Staff are marvellous, excellent and have gone above and beyond their call of duty. They kept us in touch by phone and letters. We can now visit whenever."

Visitors to the service were welcome, subject to a negative lateral flow test, normal temperature and adherence to wearing the correct PPE and social distancing. Up to two visitors a day were allowed, and the visitors policy was reviewed in line with changes to government policy. One relative said, "I can visit any time, I just need to make an appointment." Visiting professionals were checked for their vaccine status.

Some repairs and improvements to the environment had been delayed due to COVID-19 and sourcing materials. There was a clear plan in place with timescales to make improvements to bathing facilities flooring and repairs to the laundry to increase cleanliness and reduce risk of cross infection.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found