West Hill Place

We found the following examples of good practice.

● The service was receiving professional visitors with robust infection control procedures in place. Visitors were health screened and had their temperatures checked on arrival. Handwashing facilities and alcohol gel were made available and all visitors were required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE).

● The service had been providing 'garden visits' and socially distanced 'get-togethers' at local parks and leisure amenities for family and friends during the summer months. Visits were pre-arranged, with timings scheduled to avoid potential infection transmission between visitors. Guidance and PPE was provided for all visits and they were facilitated in outdoor spaces where social distancing could be maintained. The registered manager was awaiting an update to current Government guidance with a view to being able to safely facilitate visits in the future which would not be weather dependent.

● The service had taken steps to alleviate the negative impact of the pandemic on people. Staff had provided a wide variety of in-house activities to support wellbeing including celebrations of birthdays, festivals, events and games. A monthly newsletter was compiled by the registered manager which was shared with people, their families and friends.

● Risks to people and staff in relation to their health, safety and wellbeing had been carefully assessed. There was support for staff in place which included provision of training, management support and financial assistance should they become unwell.

● The service was clean and hygienic. Additional cleaning tasks and schedules had been implemented by the registered manager, which were methodically completed throughout the service three times a day.

● A robust package of procedures, guidance and contingency plans had been developed by the provider and registered manager.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found