The Bungalow is a purpose-built building which provides rehabilitation and respite care for people with high needs. However, the service has temporarily become a designated scheme to provide care and support to people with confirmed Covid-19 when they are discharged from hospital. The Bungalow is registered to provide personal care and can support ten people. At the time of inspection two people were using the service.
¿ The Bungalow is detached building. It had a main entrance accessed by a security code or individual staff access key. Access to each room was independent through an outside door. This reduced the risk of cross contamination of people using the main entrance.
¿ Each room had en-suite facilities, hospital beds, and moving and handling equipment such as a hoist. Each room had its own television and access to communal spaces, which were large enough to support two metre social distancing.
¿ Catering facilities were on site and were able to support peoples’ dietary needs, these included access to drinks and snacks. Measures were in place to ensure the required hygiene processes were used to sterilise used crockery.
¿ Staff employed by the service did not work in any other care setting. This meant the risk of cross infection was reduced. When agency staff were used to cover vacant shifts, they were pre-booked to ensure consistency as far as possible.
¿ Staff were supported in their wellbeing, through a range of networks. These included team support and supervision, access to counselling and other support networks.
¿ Staff had received training in the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the provider ensured they had enough supplies. This included daily use and reserves should these be needed.
¿ Staff had their own entrance to The Bungalow which enabled them to change from their day wear to work uniform. Staff were able to put on their PPE in the changing area which reduced the risk of cross infection. Outside each room there was a bin for the disposal of used PPE. We observed several access stations of PPE around the home to ensure it was used and disposed of in accordance with the guidance. Once staff had completed their shift, they were able to shower in the staff space and leave by an external exit so they did not re-enter the home.
¿ Laundry facilities were on site. These were used for all the staff work wear and people using the service. All laundry was transported from peoples’ rooms using the outside access, to reduce the risk of infected laundry being taken through the service.
¿ Visitors were restricted to essential or to relatives supporting a person on end of life care. For these visitors’ robust arrangements were in place to ensure their safety. Temperature check and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
¿ Enhanced cleaning schedules including regular cleaning of touch areas such as handrails and door handles were in place. This reduced the risk of cross infection.
¿ Staff accessed regular testing for Covid-19. This meant action could be taken swiftly in the event anyone developed symptoms of the virus or had a positive test result.
¿ The provider had ensured there was a detailed prevention and protection plan in place. This provided guidance on infection control for staff, people and any visitors. This also included risk assessments of the environment and the tasks being completed.
We were assured that this service met good infection prevention and control guidelines as a designated care setting.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.