Faircross Care Home London Limited

Visitors to the home were checked before entering the building. Their temperature, COVID-19 vaccination status and recent negative COVID-19 Lateral Flow Test (LFT) result were required before being permitted to enter the home. This was done to limit the risk of catching or spreading infections. Visitors were provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to wear, such as a face mask, to also limit potential infection transmission.

Staff were tested regularly. Staff members took Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests weekly and LFT tests three times a week. Only staff providing a negative test result were permitted to work.

The service had enough staff. Staff absences were covered by existing staff, but the registered manager had a contingency plan in place with an employment agency should they be required to meet people's need in the event of an emergency. During a recent outbreak of COVID-19 in the home, the provider had stopped visitors attending the service and had put other measures in place to limit the spread of infection, such as isolating those infected. Where people had been unable to have visitors, people were assisted with video calls to maintain contact with relatives.

Infection control policies, procedures and risk assessments were up to date. These supported staff to keep people safe. The provider kept up to date with government guidance with regard to COVID-19 to ensure they were following it correctly.

All staff had been trained in infection control and the use of PPE. We saw staff using PPE correctly. Handwashing guidance and infection control signage was displayed in prominent places. The premises were kept clean at all times to maintain hygiene and help prevent the spread of infections.

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