St Brigas Residential Home For Adults with Learning Disabilities

We found the following examples of practice that required improving During our inspection we found some improvements were required to how Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was disposed of. As not all clinical waste bins were pedal bin types. This meant people and staff could be exposed to a risk of cross infection. People during our inspection did not always have access to paper hand towels. Staff were responsible for ensuring paper hand towels were topped up when supplies run out. Records confirmed staff had been re-filling paper towel dispensers daily however on the day of our inspection we found not all communal bathrooms and toilets had paper hand towels available for people to use.

We found the following examples of good practice People were being supported by staff who had received training in infection prevention control. People were supported by staff who had a good understanding of how to use (PPE) safely. Throughout the home staff had access to personal protective equipment and hand sanitiser. People were encouraged to wear a surgical face mask whilst attending activities or within the local community. Risk assessments had been completed identifying individual risks relating to Covid-19 and how their care and support should be provided whilst accessing their local community.

People were supported to keep in regular contact with their loved ones. This was through phone calls, newsletters, emails, face to face meetings and home visits. People and relatives were happy with the visiting arrangements in place. One person when asked if they speak to their family, replied, "Yes, my dad". Another person said, "I speak to my mum". One relative told us, "I've been to visit, they keep us up to date. Very very pleased. Very good can't fault them".

Another relative told us, "They put a visiting pod back last year, that worked well". Another relative said, "The key worker kept me up to date. Fabulous can't fault them". Risk assessments and policies were in place for visiting.

Systems were in place to ensure visitors and health care professional visits were undertaken in line with government guidance. This included showing a negative lateral flow test, having their temperature checked and asking if the visitor or health care professional could have been exposed to Covid-19 in the last 2 weeks. One health care professional told us, "There is a procedure in place to check vaccination status and lateral flow testing". Records confirmed these checks were completed by the service.

People were happy with their care and support. One person when asked if they were happy living at St Brigas Residential Home For Adults with Learning Disabilities replied, "Yes". Another person when asked if

they felt safe, told us, "Yes". People and staff had received their Covid-19 and flu vaccinations. Where people lacked capacity to make decisions relating to vaccines, best interest decisions had been made with relevant health professionals and or family members. Relatives confirmed their views had also been sought. One relative told us, "They kept me updated and asked me about [Name] having their vaccines and flu jab. I was really glad".

People were supported by regular staff who knew them well. Staff were flexible at undertaking additional shifts if the situation arose. Staff morale was good, and staff felt supported by the management team. One member of staff told us, "Moral is really good. Staff support is really good, we've all pulled together". Another member of staff told us, "We're really lucky. We don't use agency staff".

The five questions we ask about services and what we found