Elm House

We found the following examples of good practice. In line with current guidance family and friends could visit people who lived at the service. However, most family and friends chose to visit their relative, friend outside of the service. If family and friends wanted to visit the service, they would need to have completed a rapid COVID-19 test, just before visiting and had their temperature checked. There would be gaps between visits to reduce the risk of people encountering other visitors, staff or other people from the service. Visitors would also be required to wear the supplied PPE (personal protective equipment).

External health and social care professionals and visitors had to show their vaccination status, complete a rapid COVID-19 test, just before visiting and had their temperature checked. They also had to wear the correct PPE before entering the main building.

Staff supported people to use computer tablets and phones to video call and/or communicate with family and friends. This promoted people's social well-being. There was a business contingency plan in place if there were staff absences due to being unwell or self-isolating due to COVID-19.

People had their temperature checked up to five times a day to monitor their health. This was because staff were unable to COVID-19 test people as this increased people's anxiety. This had been risk assessed. Staff were tested for COVID-19 weekly and had their temperature checked when they started their shift and on two further occasions during their shift.

Staff were observed to be wearing their PPE correctly including face masks. Staff did not appear to be fiddling with their face masks when worn. Staff were bare below the elbow and were wearing a minimum amount of jewellery with long hair tied up that promoted good infection control.

Frequently touched areas such as light switches, handles and handrails were cleaned by staff every two to three hours. This was to promote and maintain good infection control practices.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found