Eilat

We found the following examples of good practice.

At the time of our visit the service did not have any people using the service that had tested positive for COVID-19.

The service was clean and free from clutter. The service had comprehensive cleaning schedules in place for day to day cleaning.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) was available to visitors in the service's main reception. Handwashing guidance was displayed throughout the service.

The service provided safe and effective ways for people to visit their relatives during the Covid-19 pandemic. Visiting arrangements were compliant with Public Health England guidance. Families and carers had been contacted by the service's staff about the service's visiting arrangements.

The service's conservatory was used as a visiting hub. Families and carers could book visits to see their relatives in the conservatory. Prior to visiting visitors had temperatures taken and a COVID-19 lateral flow test, this is a rapid test to detect COVID-19. Visitors were also provided with personal protective equipment (PPE).

Friends and family could video call people using the service at any time. Friends and family could also telephone their loved ones at any time.

The service had a contingency plan in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19. As a contingency plan, the service could isolate floors in the home. Staff told us they had not had to instigate their contingency plan.

The service participated in the whole home testing programme, this meant people living in the home were tested for COVID-19 every 28 days. The service's staff were tested for COVID-19 every seven days, this was supplemented by twice weekly lateral flow testing,

The service had systems in place to ensure staff isolated for the required period should they test positive for COVID-19. Staff breaks whilst at work were taken in the service's conservatory and staggered to ensure social distancing.

To enable staff in providing care safely, staff had received additional training in COVID-19 awareness and infection prevention and control. This ensured they understood what actions to take in the event of people living in the service or themselves becoming symptomatic.

The service had comprehensive infection prevention and control policies. Infection prevention and control audits were completed regularly and included extra measures the service had put in place due to COVID-19. These audits were monitored by the local authority.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found