Woodcock Dell Avenue

The home had an up to date infection control policy. All staff had received training about COVID-19, infection prevention control (IPC), hand washing and in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Management carried out regular monitoring checks of staff IPC practice. Further training/learning was provided if needed. The provider completed comprehensive IPC audits, and any shortfalls were promptly addressed. These arrangements helped to assure the provider that people were protected and safe.

The provider had ensured that the home always had a suitable supply of PPE including face masks, disposable gloves and aprons. A tracker system was in place which closely monitored the PPE stock levels and identified when PPE stocks were low. This minimised the risk of PPE running out and helped ensure that people, staff and visitors were protected from becoming unwell from COVID-19.

During the pandemic staff kept up to date with all relevant guidance to do with the pandemic. The provider had identified five stages of COVID-19 as 'Prevention, Isolation, Containment, Outbreak and Recovery'. For each stage guidelines that aligned with government guidance were created and followed by staff. These were reviewed and updated regularly in response to changes to national guidance. This helped lessen the risk of spread of infection during the pandemic.

The provider and management ensured that guidance updates were promptly communicated to staff, people and relatives. This and regular communication with the host local authority, public health teams, community healthcare professionals and managers from other care homes helped to ensure the home carried out good IPC practice that kept people safe.

The home was very clean. Frequent cleaning of high touch surfaces was carried out. Relatives spoke positively about the cleanliness of the home. One relative told us that, "The home is always spotlessly clean."

People using the service and staff had access to regular testing for COVID-19. Any staff or person who had tested positive, isolated in line with government guidance.

The provider followed current government visiting guidance. They ensured that safe visiting arrangements were in place. Visiting procedures included ensuring visitors had a confirmed negative lateral flow test, used hand sanitiser and wore a face mask.

Personalised visiting was supported by the home. Management knew how important visits were to people's well-being and emotional needs. Some relatives had taken on the role of Essential Caregiver so they could provide their loved one with companionship and emotional support at any time, including times when the home implemented COVID-19 outbreak procedures.

A person spoke favourably about the regular visits they received from their relatives. Relatives were positive about their current visiting arrangements. These visits included going out to local parks and people being supported to visit their relatives in their homes. The visitor's book showed that there had been many visitors to the home. People who had relatives and friends that were unable to visit regularly were supported by telephone, video calls and letters to keep in touch with them.

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