Hill House

We found the following examples of good practice.

The provider had acted to make sure people could have visitors safely. There was a hand washing facility prior to entering the home with instructions on good hand hygiene. Temperature and symptom checks were made prior to entry.

Family visits had been facilitated through a separate room with its own access from outside using screens. This room included a microphone and speaker system to support people who have difficulty hearing. In addition, there was a visitor lounge used when screens were not needed. When unable to have visits, the provider supported people with video or telephone calls to keep in touch with family. The provider had bought iPads and upgraded their WiFi to ensure this worked well.

At the height of the pandemic the provider had arranged a weekly virtual ward with the local GP to ensure people could be seen but minimising the risk of spreading infection.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) guidance and practice followed government guidance. The manager had put detailed processes in place around infection prevention and control (IPC) and PPE for staff to follow. Some staff were part of the provider's "Infection Control Army" and were trained to a higher level to be able to support their colleagues with good practise.

The provider had a thorough policy for admissions including COVID-19 testing and a zoned area to isolate people on admission from other residents in the home. Where it was difficult for people living with dementia to self-isolate, a separate area of the home had been set up to allow them to move around but still isolate. This worked well preventing the spread of COVID-19 in that area.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found