Heyberry House

During our visit, we found the following examples of good practice. At the time of our visit, the home had just closed to visitors due to an outbreak of Coronavirus. Prior to this, excellent provisions were in place to ensure visitors were safe to enter the home to see their loved ones. For example, there was a designated area for visitors to visit their loved ones; they were required to have a negative Coronavirus test on site and wear a facemask. Social distancing was maintained at all times.

The provider has also assessed and considered the impact on people's emotional well-being on not being able to have visitors. This was good practice. In response to this, the provider had acted proactively to ensure that visitation was facilitated as much as possible to protect people's mental health. For example, where people could not meet their loved ones in the designated area, arrangements had been put in place for them to maintain contact by alternative means. For instance, by permitting a visit in the person's own bedrooms with appropriate safety precautions in place or through the use of social media.

Prior to the outbreak, any new people admitted to the home were required to have negative COVID-19 test and, a 14 day period of isolation following admission. This process adhered to government guidelines on care home admissions.

Due to the outbreak, people living in the home were self-isolating in their bedrooms and staff were taking appropriate precautions to maintain their safety. There were systems in place to maintain good infection control standards and regular checks were undertaken. Staff had sufficient supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect them and others from risk and clinical waste was disposed of in accordance with government guidelines to prevent cross contamination.

Staff members were tested weekly for COVID-19 and people living in the home monthly in accordance with government guidelines. People living in the home and staff had been offered the COVID-19 vaccination and had received their first of two vaccinations.

Staff who had tested positive were isolating at home. The provider had sufficient staff to support people living in the home without the use of agency staff. Staff returning to work following a period of isolation were risk assessed and supported appropriately.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found