Green Gates Care Home

We found the following examples of good practice:

• Safe arrangements were in place for professionals visiting the service. This included a confirmed negative lateral flow device test result, proof of vaccination against COVID-19, the requirement to show a COVID-19 pass, hand sanitisation and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Policies, procedures and risk assessments related to COVID-19 were up to date which enabled staff to keep people safe.

• The service had flexible arrangements that enable people's relatives to visit at a time that suited them and in a way that visits were staggered to avoid potential infection transmission with other visitors.

• Staff had received training on infection prevention and control guidance. This included updates on the use of PPE and how to put it on, take it off and dispose safely. There was a programme of training refreshers to ensure staff knowledge was kept up to date. Spot checks took place to ensure staff adhered to the training provided.

• The risks of potential exposure to the virus had been assessed for all staff, taking into account their health conditions and risks associated with their individual circumstances.

• The service was clean and fresh, staff carried out a number of additional tasks, such as cleaning of any regular touchpoint surfaces. Regular infection control audits took place and actions had been followed up when required.

• Staff had been trained and knew how to immediately instigate an enhanced infection control measures to care for people with symptoms. This included the appointment and training of a designated group of COVID- 19 infection control champions. They supported the registered manager to ensure correct infection control standards and protocols were in place and being adhered to.

• The registered manager reported good support from the local health professionals including the local GP practice and the teams at the provider's head office.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found