The Lakes Care Centre

We found the following examples of good practice

● The home was observed to be clean and free of malodour. The home had designated cleaning staff who were observed cleaning the home throughout the inspection. There was a cleaning schedule in place to ensure that all areas of the home were adequately cleaned.

● The service had implemented personal protective equipment (PPE) stations which were situated in the reception area of the home near the main entrance and in several cupboards. When visitors came to the home, a designated member of staff supported the visitors to ensure they followed safe infection control processes, understood PPE guidance and to check whether they had any symptoms of coronavirus before entering the home. This included taking the visitor's temperature.

● The service was due to refurbish the home within the next week, to make 'visiting pods' available with Perspex screens to ensure visits were safe and followed policies and procedures.

● Where people were shielding or self-isolating, PPE stations were set up inside or just outside the individual bedrooms. Each station was equipped with all required PPE in line with government guidelines.

● All people being admitted to the home were tested for COVID-19 by the care staff on admission. People were asked to self-isolate in their bedrooms for 14 days following their admission into the home, even if a negative test was received. Staff were being tested weekly and residents monthly as per national guidance and in line with the governments 'whole home' testing approach. The unit not currently being used was prepared for any contingency around COVID-19 and for residents to isolate if and where appropriate.

● Individual risk assessments had been conducted on staff which identified any vulnerabilities they may have in relation to coronavirus and any mitigating action that the provider needed to implement. This included Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people.

● The service had appropriate infection control policies and procedures in place. These were developed in line with current government guidance. There was prominent signage around the home for staff and visitors on what measures were being taken to minimise the risk of spread of infection and keep themselves and those around them safe. These messages were also communicated through email and on the provider's website.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found