Wensley House Residential Home

Wensley House Residential Home in Epping provides accommodation and personal care for up to 48 older people, including those living with dementia. At the time of this unannounced inspection in February 2021, there were 12 residents living at the home. This targeted inspection was conducted by the Care Quality Commission specifically to review infection prevention and control practices following an outbreak of coronavirus at the service in January 2021, examining how the home protects residents and manages safety during the pandemic.

Looking at how the home keeps people safe, inspectors found that visitors were successfully prevented from spreading infections, new residents were admitted safely, personal protective equipment was used effectively, and the premises layout and up-to-date infection policies promoted safety. However, the home needed to improve recording processes when residents lacked the capacity to consent to COVID-19 testing, and inspectors were not fully assured that shielding and social distancing rules were always met, though the registered manager continued working after testing positive only after consulting with the local authority.

Regarding how effective the care is, the report notes that staff followed government guidance on whole-home testing for residents and staff prior to the January outbreak, with regular testing scheduled to recommence in late March 2021. The home also maintained up-to-date infection prevention and control policies to guide staff practices.

To ensure residents felt cared for and supported emotionally, the home maintained contact between residents and their families through telephone calls and window visits, alongside an internal visiting pod that was built to enable face-to-face visits. Appropriate arrangements were also put in place to allow relatives to visit family members who were at the end of their life, supported by temperature checks, separate entrances, and personal protective equipment.

In terms of being responsive to individual needs, the home adapted its visiting procedures during challenging times by establishing a dedicated visiting pod and making special arrangements for end-of-life visits. Residents were also encouraged and supported to maintain social distancing in communal areas such as the lounge and dining room.

Concerning leadership and management, the registered manager worked alongside the local authority when making decisions during the COVID-19 outbreak and followed government testing guidance. Furthermore, clear guidance and signage were placed throughout the home to promote safe working practices, such as effective hand washing, and cleaning schedules demonstrated regular deep cleaning while keeping the environment visibly clean.