Grange Cottage Residential home for Elderly Persons

We found the following examples of good practice.

The provider had very robust procedures for preventing visitors from catching or spreading infection. There were clear signs at the entrance to the home advising people of the symptoms of COVID-19 and advising people not to visit if they were experiencing symptoms of the virus.

The provider had a designated area, separate from the home, for visitors to carry out Lateral Flow Device COVID-19 testing. They had also provided a safe and comfortable weatherproof external sitting area where people could meet their visitors while maintaining social distancing. In line with guidance, all but essential visiting had been suspended due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

The provider was knowledgeable about best practice in supporting people to self-isolate in their rooms during the outbreak of COVID-19. People who chose to leave their rooms were discreetly and sensitively monitored by staff to ensure they maintained social distancing.

The provider followed safe procedures when people were admitted to the home. People received a negative COVID-19 test result before they moved into the home and were supported to self-isolate in their rooms for 14 days after moving to the home. The provider worked cooperatively with local stakeholders to ensure all admissions followed best practice guidelines.

The provider had arranged for staff and people who lived in the home to have regular tests for COVID-19. They had also arranged for people to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The home was clean and hygienic. We observed staff regularly cleaning frequently touched areas such as banisters and grab rails. We saw the staff understood the importance of maintaining a safe and hygienic environment and worked as a team to ensure high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.

There was a very experienced and committed staff team working in the home. The provider and staff had placed restrictions on their personal lives to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 to protect the people they cared for.

This was a small home with a focus on providing a caring and domestic style atmosphere. The provider worked with the staff to deliver people's care. During the outbreak of COVID-19 the provider had moved into a spare room in the home to be on site and available for people and the staff team.

The provider had kept up to date with national guidance on working safely in care homes and had shared best practice with the staff. They had robust and up-to-date infection prevention and control policies and procedures.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found