Knights' Grove Care Home

We found the following examples of good practice.

Measures were in place to prevent the potential spread of infection by visitors. The service had developed a visiting policy based on national guidance. A visiting pod had been built which visitors accessed from the garden without the need to walk through the home. There was also a designated indoor visiting area with separate entrance/exit. All visits were scheduled and included time in between each visit to allow for staff to clean the visiting areas. The service also ensured that people had opportunities to maintain contact with their family members through the use of social media, video and telephone calls.

The service had taken action to ensure shielding and social distancing rules were complied with. Staff break areas had been located on each floor to avoid unnecessary movement of staff between floors. Activities programmes were planned and followed to help minimise the impact of restrictions on people who used the service.

There were clear procedures in place for donning, doffing and disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE). A training video for this was created by the provider's quality team and is shown to all staff. Adherence to procedures was regularly checked and audited to ensure compliance with current guidance. There was also regular monitoring of staff handwashing practice.

The home took part in the whole home Covid 19 testing programme. People living at the home were tested monthly for Covid 19 and had daily observations, such as temperatures, taken to help identify any potential, early signs of the virus. Staff were tested weekly for Covid 19 and additional rapid flow tests had been introduced. Any staff testing positive would be required to stay away from work and self-isolate in line with Government guidance.

The home looked clean and hygienic. Routine cleaning schedules had been enhanced with increased cleaning of contact points, such as doors, handles, handrails, and light switches. Designated staff took the lead in infection, prevention and control (IPC) and ensured checks were carried out and IPC guidance was followed. Staff had received specific and ongoing training including IPC, personal protective equipment, and handwashing. Staff had successfully contained a recent outbreak to one floor of the home.

There were clear clinical governance systems in place to support staff and managers, including regular clinical risk meetings and weekly communications with the provider. The home manager held weekly motivational sessions to help support staff. There was also an employee of the month scheme to reward staff. The provider had an IPC policy, which included guidance around Covid 19, which had been regularly

reviewed and updated in line with changing national guidance.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found