Blue Cedars

We were assured that the provider had implemented most aspects of national guidance into practice and people and staff were appropriately protected against the risk of the spread of COVID-19. However, we found the provider's IPC policies and records of procedures were not always up to date. We have asked the provider to review and updated their IPC governance.

We found the following examples of good practice.

The provider had made necessary changes to the service to protect people from the risk of the spread of COVID-19. This included review of communal areas and people's individual routines such as mealtimes and implementing personal protective equipment stations throughout the home.

The provider had installed a "visitors pod" to facilitate safe visits for people and their loved ones. This was a designated space which allowed people to have visitors at the home and included safety measures such as appropriate screening and ventilation to reduce the risk of transmission of viruses. Visitor's were also required to pre-book appointments and completed a range of screening questions on arrival at the service.

The provider ensured there was ample supply of appropriate personal protective equipment, and we observed staff using this in line with national guidance. Staff monitored people's wellbeing which included daily temperature and oxygen level checks. The registered manager discussed how these supported staff to be aware of and respond to any changes in people's presentation and wellbeing where people may not be able to communicate their needs.

People and staff were supported appropriately to have access to regular testing in line with national guidelines and staff were able to access the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found