Parkside Residential Home

The home had responded to peoples' choices and individual needs during the pandemic, to help them carry out activities outside the home safely. For example, a member of staff would accompany them on public transport or, if going to activities outside the home, a taxi would be booked to take them to the event and return them safely to the home. Residents undertook a lateral flow test (LFT) on return to the home.

When people are admitted to the home from hospital, they are required to isolate for the required period set out in government guidance at the time of admission. Those with mental capacity are required to isolate in their room, however, for those with dementia, a member of staff is assigned to them to ensure minimal contact is made with other residents and staff during the isolation period. An LFT is required at the end of the isolation period.

The provider was following the current government guidance regarding home visiting. People had three named visitors and an essential care giver. Information was available for visitors to follow. Visitors were supported to test for Covid 19 prior to entry. Once a negative test had been confirmed, visitors were escorted to residents' rooms or the garden are for the visit. Visitors were not allowed in the communal areas to reduce the risk of infections.

The provider had adapted the home entrances to accommodate PPE and testing stations for people living at the home and their visitors to use before entering.

The home had alternative methods to support social contact for visitors who were not named or for residents that may have become Covid 19 positive. For example, video calling and the use of tablets to make video calls.

The home had enough supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE). There were PPE stations available throughout the premises. Staff had received appropriate training in infection prevention and control and how to don and doff PPE.

The provider had a system in place to ensure staff had the necessary vaccinations and had completed the necessary Covid 19 testing prior to working in the home.

There was an appropriate testing process set up to ensure regular testing was available for residents.

The layout of the service and communal areas supported social distancing. Chairs in the main lounge had been spaced out appropriately and the home had purchased smaller tables for the dining area so that all residents could eat meals together but sit at their own table and maintain social contact at mealtimes.

The premises looked clean and hygienic throughout. There were cleaning schedules in place. Cleaning of high-risk areas were cleaned every two hours. There was adequate ventilation throughout the home.

There has been no outbreak at the home since the start of the pandemic but procedures are in place to lock down the home and isolate residents in their rooms and assign specific members of staff to them on each shift to minimise the risk of transmission.

We were assured that this service met good infection prevention and control guidelines as a designated care setting.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found