THE way that staff at a care village in Latchford have supported residents through a difficult coronavirus period has been lauded by inspectors.

Care Quality Commission representatives recently visited Belong Warrington Care Village in an unannounced inspection to evaluate infection prevention and control measures.

A report published afterwards heaped praise on staff, who used a range of technology to help residents keep in regular contact with family, friends and loved ones.

Another aspect which was referenced in the glowing report was senior management at the Loushers Lane facility, which put in place stringent coronavirus prevention procedures to prevent an outbreak.

In their report, inspectors said: “The service made effective use of available Covid-19 testing for both people living at the home and staff members, who were checked for symptoms at the start of each shift.

“People living at the home and staff had been supported to take part in the vaccination programme.

Lewis Smith, support worker at Belong Warrington, is vaccinated by Xiurong Deng, practice nurse at Stockton Heath Medical Centre

Lewis Smith, support worker at Belong Warrington, is vaccinated by Xiurong Deng, practice nurse at Stockton Heath Medical Centre

“The home was clean and very well maintained. There was an innovative laundry system that ensured that it was almost impossible for cross contamination of dirty and clean laundry.

“Staff made appropriate use of PPE. They followed best practice when putting on, removing and disposing, and the provider ensured the service always had good supplies available.

“Senior staff had ensured that people's friends and relatives were kept in regular communication about the steps being taken within the home to care for people during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Inspectors went on to praise the additional checks on residents’ wellbeing, which included the monitoring of breathing, oxygen levels, skin and temperature.

The report goes on to say: “People continued to be supported with their emotional and social wellbeing during the pandemic, with each household participating in activities and celebrating special occasions within their social bubble.

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“People's ongoing health continued to be explored and promoted, for example, during the pandemic there was a workshop to help staff support people with appetising and healthy food.

“Also, a gym instructor employed at the village visited each household weekly and supported people with individualised exercise plans for building up strength and exercising for mental wellbeing.”

Inspectors added that staff told them they felt they had been really well supported throughout the coronavirus period.

One said: “It has been really difficult, but we have had great support and everything has been in place for us to care for people well.”