Amberwood Nursing Home

We found the following examples of good practice.

Procedures were in place to ensure the risk of any visitors to the service introducing infection were minimised. These had been reviewed and enhanced to enable them to safely welcome visitors into the home, in line with government guidelines introduced on 8 March 2021. Clear guidance was displayed for visitors. Temperatures were taken and there was 30 minute on site rapid testing for covid. PPE (personal protective equipment) and handwashing/alcohol gel was provided. Cleaning took place following the visit. Measures were in place to minimise visitors contact with others in the home. Visits were by appointment, and staff escorted visitors directly to their family members room by staff.

People had been supported to maintain contact with their loved ones throughout the pandemic using a range of technology. Window visits had continued. One relative had been supported to visit following a deterioration in their family members mental health. They were tested regularly for covid alongside the staff team, and wore PPE. Every person had a Christmas photograph taken of them wearing something festive. The photographs were made into cards and sent to their families to reassure them their loved one was ok.

People were assessed twice daily for the development of a high temperature or symptoms of covid. Programmes for regular testing of people and staff were in place. The majority of residents and staff had received their first vaccination.

People new to the service were tested for covid before arrival. They were supported to adhere to an isolation period in their rooms, with a dedicated staff team and notice on the door to inform staff and visitors.

Social distancing was supported in the home, with a maximum of four people in the lounge at any one time. Staff breaks were staggered.

PPE was used in accordance with the government guidelines, with guidance and prompts displayed throughout the home to remind staff and visitors. Staff training in infection prevention and control was refreshed every two months to ensure their knowledge and skills were up to date. This meant staff knew how to immediately instigate full infection control measures to care for people with symptoms, to reduce the risk of the virus spreading to other people and staff.

The management team had recognised PPE may cause fear and anxiety for people. Staff had explained to people about the need to wear masks. If people were concerned, staff stood on the opposite side of the room to show them what they looked like before replacing the mask. This had helped alleviate any anxiety.

There were comprehensive policies and operating procedures in place. The service had a clear understanding and commitment to an enhanced cleaning programme to prevent the spread of infection. A new team of domestic staff had been recently recruited to this end. There were safe systems in place for the management of laundry.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found