Winchester Road

We found the following examples of good practice.

People were supported to understand information about the pandemic using easy read information which was prominently displayed in the service.

Staff were encouraged to review day to day routines and share ideas on how they could reduce possible routes of COVID-19 transmission. For example, the registered manager had implemented staff's idea of creating single visitor sheet sign in pockets which included pens for visitors to keep. These replaced the visitors' book and reduced the number of surfaces people touched.

The provider had robust policies and procedures in place to identify and support both people and staff to reduce the risks of catching COVID-19. These included measures to mitigate the risk of contracting the virus where people/and or staff were identified as clinically extremely vulnerable or required additional support.

Maintaining people's wellbeing had been supported through the introduction and purchase of additional activities to help keep people active and engaged during the national lockdown.

We reviewed information which provided assurances that the provider understood and implemented national guidance to support safe admissions to the service such as testing schedules and isolation.

We observed the home was clean and staff completed regular cleaning activities which were recorded. The provider had a deep clean task list which outlined what cleaning activities were required and when which was overseen by the registered manager.

We observed the provider had implemented and reviewed their visiting guidelines and protocols in line with national guidance to facilitate safe visits for people and their loved ones if they wished. Where face to face visits were not possible, people were encouraged to use alternative communication such as telephone calls and online video calls to keep in contact with people who were important to them.

The provider ensured there was ample supply of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and we observed staff using this in line with national guidance. Staff had also received additional training in the appropriate use of PPE and infection and prevention and control (IPC) in relation to the pandemic.

We reviewed the homes IPC policies and procedures which were regularly updated and included appropriate reference to national guidance and publications. We also noted there was ample signposting and consideration to appropriate service specific best practice guidance for people with a learning disability and or autism to promote good quality care and risk management during the pandemic.

People and staff were supported appropriately to have access to regular testing in line with national guidelines. Staff and people were also encouraged to participate in the national COVID-19 vaccination programme.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found