Lincombe Manor

We found the following examples of good practice:

Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and masks were readily available at the entrance to the home. There was also a stand alone handwashing station with liquid soap, paper towels and hand sanitiser. Temperature checks were carried out on staff and visitors on arrival to the care home. There was clear infection control signage displayed and visitors were able to scan a QR onto a COVID-19 application on their mobile phone for track and trace purposes.

Lincombe Manor had a booking system for visitors, with staggered times and lateral flow testing in place. There was a designated visiting pod in the care home. Other forms of contact with residents was via video calls, telephone calls and garden visits.

All clinically extremely vulnerable people were identified, and care plans had been put into place. Risk assessments had been carried out on staff who may be considered to be high risk, such as those who were pregnant. All staff wore face masks when caring for people living in the home and when required, wore gloves and aprons for personal care.

People were only admitted to the home when they have had a negative COID-19 test and they were then isolated for 14 days within their own room and regularly tested in accordance with current guidance.

Peoples' temperature and oxygen saturations were monitored daily and when needed people displaying signs of COVID-19 were isolated in their bedrooms and a test carried out. The care home had a plan for cohorting staff and people should an outbreak occur.

PPE was readily available throughout the care home and staff had received training on putting on and taking off PPE. The impact of staff wearing PPE and peoples' reactions had been considered and highlighted in an individual's care plan if adjustments needed to be made. Online training on infection control had been undertaken by all staff, including managing COVID-19

All staff and people were tested in line with current guidance and the results were recorded. If a member of staff displayed symptoms, then they were tested immediately and sent home to isolate while awaiting test results. There were further testing processes in place for staff working at other locations. Staff did not use public transport whenever possible and the provider paid for taxis. Staff breaks were staggered to support

social distancing. . Routine and enhanced cleaning was in place, for example the visiting pod was cleaned after each use and 'touch points', such as door handles and light switches cleaned on a regular basis daily. Lincombe Manor was visibly clean and hygienic at the time of this inspection. Clutter has been removed to allow for effective cleaning. Cleaning schedules were completed which included the cleaning of high touch point areas and appropriate chemicals were in place. A COVID-19 resource file was developed and shared with staff and kept up to date with the latest guidance

Furniture in communal areas was arranged to promote social distancing and screens were in use on the dining tables to enable people to continue to socialise at mealtimes. Outdoor areas had tables and chairs arranged to promote social distancing.

The management team have remained up to date with relevant guidance changes and the care home's infection control policy reflected this. All staff were informed of changes when needed and they adhered to infection control guidance. Suitable systems were in place to manage any outbreaks of COVID-19.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found