The Laurels and Pine Lodge

We found the following examples of good practice.

The premises were visibly clean. People who lived at the service and visitors told us the building was always kept clean.

Visitors told us they were able to visit by arrangement, subject on each occasion to temperature checks, a negative lateral flow test result and the use of PPE (a face mask) in line with government guidance. The provider shared the current government guidance and local procedures for visitors with people's families and regular visitors. Visitors confirmed there was good communication.

Although there were hour long time slots for visitors, to be booked the day before, the service where possible allowed visits to be longer than an hour, provided there were not too many people in the building. Visits took place in people's rooms. Some people chose to receive visitors outdoors, which we observed during the inspection.

No visitors were currently using Essential Care Giver status, although the provider had informed people and their families and close friends about this.

There were temperature checks and lateral flow result checks for everyone entering the building. Professional visitors and contractors were expected to provide evidence of double vaccination against COVID-19 or of medical exemption.

People and visitors confirmed, and we observed, that staff wore face masks and where appropriate, disposable aprons and gloves. There were ample supplies of personal protective equipment.

People, including those who had languages other than English as their first language and those who had impaired hearing, had adapted to staff using masks. Where required, adaptations were made such as providing whiteboards so things could be written down to assist communication.

People at the service and staff were part of a regular coronavirus testing scheme.

New wet rooms had been installed so people did not have to move between floors in order to have a shower.

Lighting in many areas had been adapted so it was operated by movement sensors, to reduce the number of surfaces touched by multiple people.

There was a programme under way for replacing some worn carpets, furniture and soft furnishings, which, although intact, were becoming shabby. This had been highlighted in the service's regular infection prevention and control audits.

Policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control were in line with current government guidance.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found