Meadowfield House Home for Older People

We inspected this service as a proposed designated care setting. Whilst we were assured that the service met good infection prevention and control guidelines, at the time of the inspection the location was not ready to be set up as a designated care setting. The commissioners decided to put their plans on hold while they finalise their operating procedures. They informed us they would re-apply once they were ready to proceed. At which point we will revisit.

We found the following examples of good practice.

The premises were clean and hygienic and arrangements were in place to check visitors for symptoms on arrival. Adequate signage was in place for people and visitors.

Staff had received infection prevention and control training and were regularly supported to update their knowledge and skills in relation to best practice standards. Staff also received additional training specifically linked to COVID-19 to enhance their knowledge and understanding and identify areas of support.

Staff used technology such as video calling to support people with contact and at times when they could not get visitors including for making contact with health professionals.

There were arrangements to monitor staff welfare during the pandemic. Risk assessments were in place for people and staff deemed to be at high risk of infection. Staff who were deemed to be at high risk had been deployed in other parts of the service to reduce the risk of infection.

The provider had risk assessed and had contingency plans to manage COVID-19.

There were stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE) and staff were knowledgeable about what standard of PPE was needed and when. Staff were observed wearing PPE as required. Further information is in the detailed findings below.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found