Harleston House

We found the following areas of good practice:

As relatives are currently not able to visit, staff had set up different ways in which people could stay in touch with those who are important to them. This included by phone, tablet and a large TV screen. People experiencing dementia were supported by staff to engage with these virtual opportunities. Staff recognised that people missed contact with their loved ones and had continued to deliver a full programme of activities to cheer people's mood. This included a 'Butlins' day where staff dressed up as red coats, the dining room was transformed into a big white tent, residents chose their own menu and a knobbly knees competition was enjoyed by all.

All people living at Harleston House Care Home are currently shielding and so staff wear PPE at all times and remain socially distant whenever this is possible. Where people are discharged from hospital, the care home requests that a COVID test result is provided by the hospital. People are supported to isolate for 14 days upon the entry to the home. To date no people have tested positive for Covid-19.

All staff are happy to undertake PCR tests in order to protect the people they care for. Where staff test positive, they are supported to isolate at home and the appropriate authorities informed. Staff we spoke with were clear that the management team were supportive of their needs. Risk assessments for all staff had been undertaken and staff who needed to shield were supported to do so in an appropriate way. Handovers and staff breaks had been modified to ensure that only small groups gathered at any one time. If staff did meet in one room, they remained socially distant and wore PPE. Harleston House is currently using only staff from their permanent team in addition to one bank staff member (who works only at Harleston House).

The premises looked clean throughout and communal areas were ventilated. Cleaning schedules had been updated by the housekeeper in light of COVID-19 risks and frequent cleaning of high touch areas was undertaken by all staff, both day and night. The home had a large stock of cleaning detergents which had been checked for their efficacy in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Oversight of laundry was comprehensive and housekeeping staff demonstrated a good knowledge of the guidelines in place for washing people's clothing should someone test positive for COVID-19.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found