A New Key Question Has Been Developed
Life has been very different for all of us during this pandemic. People, especially those most vulnerable, have had to socially distance, shield and isolate. All new terminology, as we do our best to lessen infection rates and decrease the devastating impact of COVID-19.
As you will all know, part of this was to stop people going into care homes, preventing the introduction of the Coronavirus. No visits from their loved ones has most probably been the most difficult part to bear. Alongside this decision was to stop all external professionals, including the regulator, going into services. Instead, the Care Inspectorate worked from home and contacted all their service managers to help with the introduction of Near Me – an excellent new initiative to be seen by a health professional negating the need to attend external health appointments.
Everyone, including the most knowledgeable infection control experts, learned as the virus progressed and thus advice changed. The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Jeane Freeman, has been closely involved, and the regulator is now visiting services of concern.
The Care Inspectorate released a new Key Question for use during the COVID-19 pandemic, which will enable them to focus on the area which is of most importance.
The key question focuses on Infection Control, PPE, and Staffing. It has three quality indicators covering all the criteria which will be reviewed during the inspection visit.
Here at QCS we have developed the following to help our customers measure their compliance against the criteria:
- A Mock Inspection – COVID-19
- A Mock Inspection during the Coronavirus Pandemic Policy and Procedure