Lavender Hills Care Home

We found the following examples of good practice.

A range of policies and guidance was available to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. This had been updated in line with changes in the guidance, and links to a range of further information was available to the staff team. Contingency plans and risk assessments had been completed.

Arrangements were in place to ensure people were admitted to the service safely. A regular testing programme was in place for people who used the service, staff and visitors. Relatives of people confirmed the appropriate visiting arrangements to enable them to spend time with their family members. All staff had been fully vaccinated in line with the current government guidance.

The service was clean and tidy and cleaning schedules had been completed. Dedicated housekeeping staff undertook cleaning duties. Audits of the service was taking place and records had been completed to confirm the findings from these.

A range of personal protective equipment, (PPE) was available throughout the service. Staff confirmed enough supplies of PPE was available for them. Information and guidance was on display throughout the service to guide and support people and staff. Staff were observed wearing PPE appropriately at all times during the inspection. Relatives who visited the service confirmed the staff wore PPE when they visited. Staff told us, and records confirmed they had undertaken relevant training in infection control and donning and doffing of PPE. The registered manager told us they undertook observed checks of staff donning and doffing and handwashing to ensure this was being undertaken in line with guidance.

There was sufficient staff in the service. Staff told us there was enough staff to undertake their role. Relatives said, "There is always plenty of staff around" and, "There is enough staff, they answer buzzers promptly when we buzz." Systems were in place to ensure sufficient staff were in place in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak. The registered manager discussed how they had managed the recent outbreak in the service.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found