Dimensions 123 Calmore Road

We found the following examples of good practice. • Staff were familiar with entry requirements and we were asked to provide evidence of a lateral flow device (LFD) test and our COVID-19 passport. Staff took and recorded our temperature and we used hand sanitiser and signed into the service before we were admitted.

• People were supported to maintain good hand hygiene and wear masks if possible when accessing the community. Staff supported one person to visit a relative in a care home, ensuring they had completed LFD tests before going.

• There had been an outbreak of COVID-19 in the service that had involved some people. While testing positive, social distancing in the service had been maintained and people were isolated in their rooms. Bathing facilities were shared and during the outbreak people were allocated particular bathrooms and additional cleaning was done to minimise the risks to people.

• Staff wore personal protective equipment, (PPE) as per current guidelines. When they first began to wear facemasks, one person had struggled. They were more vocal when having personal care when staff had to work more closely with them. Staff supported them in getting used to facemasks and now the person appears relaxed.

• All staff were current with their infection prevention and control, (IPC) training and had also benefited from training specifically in COVID-19 and donning and doffing of PPE.

• During the pandemic and particularly during the outbreak in the service, staff had been donning PPE on arrival at the entry. Additional PPE including gloves and aprons were worn, for example, during direct care, when cleaning and doing laundry.

• People and staff participated in testing according to current guidelines. Staff completed an LFD test before each shift and people were supported to take a polymerase chain reaction, (PCR) test each month. Testing had enabled people to participate in community activities, attend a day service and visit another care setting.

• People were supported by staff and their GO to have the COVID-19 vaccinations. The first was given in the service and the next in vaccine centres as people had coped well with the initial dose. One person had been unable to have the vaccines, they moved away from staff administering the vaccines and following a Mental

Capacity Act 2005 assessment and best interest decision involving parents and relevant others it was decided not to pursue the vaccine for them. This minimised distress for them and supported the choice they were clearly making.

• Since our last inspection of this service there had been significant changes. The premises used to be run as two adjacent bungalows however, now there is one larger, joined up service. Large parts of the premises had been refurbished however, there were some areas in need of maintenance that could improve IPC further. For example, both laundries had flooring that was not fully sealed. There was no impact on people from the maintenance required. We shared our findings with the provider and asked them to address our concerns.

We were assured that this service met good infection prevention and control guidelines.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found