The Params

The provider had developed new ways of recording observations about people's health which were shared with healthcare professionals in advance of appointments. This had reduced the need for external visitors to the home and had facilitated good virtual consultations with healthcare professionals.

The provider was following best practice guidance to prevent visitors to the home spreading COVID-19 infection. The provider had individual visitor plans and they kept in touch with family members and people's friends through regular phone calls, emails, text messages and video conferencing.

The provider had arrangements for visitors to meet with people in the conservatory, entering through the conservatory doors with no contact with other residents. All visitors were asked COVID-19 screening questions on arrival, and had their temperature checked. A COVID-19 lateral flow test was carried out on visiting professionals who were not on the national testing programme. This was to ensure the safety of staff and people.

People were supported to see visitors in the garden during summer. People whose mental wellbeing required extra contact with their family were driven to their loved-one's home for a socially distanced doorstep visit.

To ensure people's well-being the provider engaged people with online activities and workshops; the provider had employed an activities co-ordinator who was due to start work in March 2021.

The provider had an admissions process in place. People had a COVID-19 test within 24 to 48 hours prior to being admitted into the service and were isolated for 14 days following admission to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus.

The home had an area for staff to don and doff (put on and take off) personal protective equipment (PPE).

Our observations during the inspection confirmed staff were adhering to PPE and social distancing guidance.

The provider had ensured staff who were more vulnerable to COVID-19 had been assessed and plans were in place to minimise the risk to their health and wellbeing.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found