The Cedars Care Home

This inspection report for The Cedars Care Home focuses on the home's preparedness for preventing and controlling infections, particularly in light of COVID-19. The inspection aimed to assess how well the home is meeting essential legal requirements and regulations related to infection prevention and control. The findings provide insights into the effectiveness of the measures in place to protect residents and staff, and highlight areas where improvements are being made or are planned.

On safety, the home demonstrated robust measures for preventing the spread of infection, including strict visitor checks and the provision of PPE. They effectively supported residents to stay connected with families through safe visiting arrangements and video calls. However, there was an observation of some auxiliary staff not changing gloves between rooms on two occasions, which the manager promptly addressed and led to plans for refresher training and increased monitoring. The laundry area's layout also presented a risk of recontamination, and while external washing of bed linen is now in place, the provider is actively seeking to relocate the laundry to a more suitable space.

In terms of how effective the care is, the report focuses on infection control aspects. The home was assured in its ability to prevent visitors from spreading infections, adhere to shielding and social distancing rules, and admit new residents safely. They were also ensuring access to testing for residents and staff and were prepared to manage potential outbreaks.

Regarding caring practices, while the report doesn't delve into specific care interactions, the emphasis on maintaining resident contact with families suggests a thoughtful approach to well-being during challenging times. The prompt action taken by management to address staff practice issues also indicates a commitment to ensuring care is delivered appropriately.

The responsive aspect of the service is demonstrated through the home's proactive communication with families about changing guidance and their efforts to implement necessary adjustments to visiting procedures. The focus on infection control indicates a willingness to adapt services to meet current public health requirements.

In terms of being well-led, the management team showed a strong commitment to infection control by working closely with health and social care partners, including training and spot checks. They proactively addressed identified risks and planned significant improvements to the premises, such as relocating the laundry facilities, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to enhancing the service.