Alderwood Care Home

The service was working closely with the local authority, Public Health England, the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) infection control team and the GP to ensure their IPC practice was safe and people's needs were met. There was adequate access and take up of testing for staff and people using the service.

National guidance was being followed on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). There was clear signage on instruction, direction and the correct use of PPE and handwashing techniques. There was plentiful supply of PPE and staff had received training in infection prevention and control.

Local restrictions on visiting were in place at the time of the inspection and the home was closed to family and friends with the exception to those visiting loved ones at the end stage of their life. In these cases safe measures had been put in place to facilitate agreed pre-booked visits.

Video calling facilities via various technology systems were available throughout the home to enable people to keep in constant contact with relatives and friends.

National admissions guidance was being followed and there was a planning structure in place which included people only being admitted on the basis of a negative COVID-19 test result and following admission isolation within their bedroom for the first 14 days.

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