215 Hughenden Road

We found the following examples of good practice.

Visitors had their temperature taken and were asked about their health to identify signs of infection. At the time of our visit, construction work on a summer house was nearing completion to provide a safe winter visiting space. We were advised visitors would be required to follow handwashing guidance, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and maintain social distancing. The service also planned to ensure the facility was sanitised before and after use. During the earlier stage of the pandemic, we heard some families had accessed outdoor visits in the garden or local park, and risk assessments enabled some people using the service to visit family homes, where COVID-19 restrictions allowed this.

Staff encouraged people using the service to maintain a safe social distance. This was promoted within the home and during outings to public spaces such as supermarkets. The service used easy read documents and supportive conversations to help people learn about COVID-19 and measures needed to keep themselves safe. One person using the service told us about the importance of wearing a mask and handwashing, demonstrating a good awareness and understanding of risks.

We observed staff wearing appropriate PPE, and found the home had a stock of face visors where additional eye protection was needed. PPE stock levels were monitored and staff had received training on infection prevention and control. Audits took place to monitor infection prevention and control across the service. The registered manager also carried out spot checks, using CCTV situated in communal spaces, to ensure PPE was used appropriately by staff.

The home was registered to regularly test staff and people using the service for COVID-19 infection. Some people using the service could not consent to COVID-19 swab testing. Where staff believed a person was unable to give informed consent, the service had undertaken verbal discussions to agree testing was in their best interests. We discussed how the service could formally document these agreements using a mental capacity and best interests process. The registered manager shared evidence following the inspection to confirm this had been completed.

The risks of potential exposure to COVID-19 had been assessed for all staff and people using the service, considering factors such as age, underlying health conditions and increased risks associated with people from black, Asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds.

We observed the communal areas appeared in a clean and hygienic condition. Staff sanitised areas of the home which presented a higher risk of cross infection, such as door handles, light switches and surfaces.

Cleaning records used both paper and electronic systems. Recording was inconsistent and did not always include the time sanitisation had taken place. This meant the service could not consistently evidence when sanitisation had occurred. The service had already identified this record keeping as an area for improvement and advised daily spot checks would be carried out to ensure cleaning schedules were adhered to.

A business continuity plan was in place. The service also had a detailed infection prevention and control policy, with a management checklist alongside this, to assist with the practical implementation of infection control. Systems were in place to respond to an outbreak of COVID-19 infection, to self-isolate individuals who had tested positive for COVID-19 and protect others from the risk of infection spread.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found