Highcliffe Care Centre

We found the following examples of good practice.

• Systems were in place to help prevent people, staff and visitors from catching or spreading infection. Every staff member and visitor had their temperature checked upon arrival and were given appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to wear. Every visitor had to have a lateral flow test, complete a health declaration and were guided to use hand sanitiser upon entering the home.

• The environment was clean and tidy. Additional cleaning was undertaken around the home throughout the day by domestic and care staff. This included frequently touched surfaces such as door handles and handrails.

• The home had sufficient levels of PPE available to staff and visitors such as masks, aprons, gloves and visors. The registered manager carried out weekly stock checks and ordered additional PPE to ensure there was always plenty available for staff, visitors and people.

• Staff had undertaken training in Infection prevention and control (IPC) as well as putting on and taking off PPE. There were dedicated Infection control champions in the home who assisted with regular IPC audits and observed staff to ensure they were competent in IPC practices.

• Staff supported people's social and emotional wellbeing. People were supported to keep in touch with their family members via video or telephone calls. They also supported people to receive visits in line with government guidelines. A visiting pod was due to be installed within the grounds of the home for relatives to use on an appointment basis, to visit people also.

• People and staff were taking part in the COVID-19 regular testing programme.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found