Firstlings

Firstlings provides a service for up to 32 older people, some of whom may be living with dementia. At the time of our inspection, 32 people were living at the service. The building had been adapted and was set on three floors with a large accessible garden.

We found the following examples of good practice:

The management team led by example and worked as part of the team to combat Covid 19. There had been no outbreak of Covid 19 in the service.

The service had taken three new people from the community into the service during lockdown and had done this effectively to keep everyone safe.

There was enough PPE for staff to use and this was worn appropriately. An efficient process was in place when staff entered and left the building. A separate space was used for the changing of PPE to prevent cross contamination. Also, uniforms were changed and washed at the service and ready for staff when they arrived for each shift.

People were fully involved in discussions about Covid 19. The service had been proactive and creative in helping people understand about Covid 19 and its effects, prevention, spread and control. This included the use of picture cards, games, discussion, and one to one support with trying out masks. There was information in easy read and pictures readily available around the service as a reminder of good practice for infection control.

People were supported to see their families in the garden and a clear process and facilities had been put in place to make this happen. People were supported to observe social distancing whilst meeting with their families.

Detailed risk assessments had been carried out for people who used the service and staff. This ensured that everyone's characteristics such as age, sex, ethnicity and circumstances were considered to ensure risks to the spread of infection were minimised for those most vulnerable.

Clear policies, procedures and contingency plans were in place. Effective monitoring provided good management oversight of the day to day running of the service and their preparedness should a second wave of the virus occur.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found