The White House Care Home

We found the following examples of good practice.

At the time of the inspection the home was allowing essential visits only, for example health professionals or a relative of a person receiving end of life care. Alternatives such as video calls were arranged for families who could not visit. A visiting pod had been specially built to ensure families could visit safely once they were allowed to do so.

Visitors were required to complete a health questionnaire before entering the home. Temperature checks were completed on arrival and PPE (personal protective equipment) was available for all visitors. Lateral flow testing was also done prior to visits taking place. In addition to the main entrance, alternative entrances were also in use to ensure visitors took the shortest route through the home.

There was a plentiful supply of PPE and a number of PPE stations around the home. Clinical waste bins were in place for the safe disposal of used PPE. Staff had received training in the appropriate use of PPE and infection prevention and control training. The registered manager had worked closely with the infection control nurse from the local CCG to ensure safe practices were followed.

The home was very clean and tidy. Furniture in communal areas had been arranged to maximise social distancing. Enhanced cleaning schedules were in place. These included regular cleaning of touch areas such as handrails and door handles to reduce the risk of cross infection. Suitable arrangements were also in place to manage contaminated laundry.

The registered manager had identified the impact of isolation on people living at the home and how much they were missing contact with other people in the home. A great deal of thought had gone into ways to reduce social isolation as much as possible. Activities took place in the main lounge area in a socially distanced safe way. Computer tablets and mobile phones were being used to stream these activities and allow people to join virtually. This use of technology had even allowed people to have a socially distanced Christmas party. Digital church services had also been arranged.

There was a detailed infection prevention and control policy in place and regular checks were completed.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found