Forum topic: How has the Coronavirus affected Enfield's care homes?

The impact of Coronavirus on Enfield care and nursing homes

Healthwatch Enfield, 26 October 2020

Executive summary

During August and September 2020, Healthwatch Enfield engaged with local care and nursing home staff, residents, and relatives to hear how the Coronavirus outbreak is impacting them. This followed a period where Enfield Council had put in place regular communication and support with care homes (including support for staff) to ensure that the homes and residents were appropriately supported during the pandemic.

This report sets out the views of staff, residents and relatives, and offers an insight into what worked well and areas where we can improve the experience of residents and relatives and ensure that staff feel supported.

Just under one quarter of the homes we spoke to, had an outbreak of Coronavirus during the first wave (23 per cent). Almost all of the homes that experienced an outbreak reported they have received external support from a wide variety of organisations. Homes told us they were grateful for the support they received but explained they would benefit from this support continuing, especially in the event of a second wave of the virus.

Feedback from staff

Staff reported a range of reasons which they felt contributed to helping them avoid an outbreak of coronavirus in the home. It is clear that care and nursing home staff are working hard, often beyond the call of duty, to keep residents and colleagues safe. For example, staff took personal action such as not using public transport, doing online shopping, not covering shifts in other homes, in an effort to protect home residents and their colleagues.

Two thirds of staff told us they were aware of the interventions available to help care and nursing homes (67 per cent), but feedback about the helpfulness of these interventions were mixed. Feedback about testing was mixed. Staff also noted the disparity they felt between social care staff and NHS staff and felt that this should be addressed so that they receive the same sort of priority access for food shopping as well as a recognition of the key role they play in keeping vulnerable residents safe and secure.

Staff highlighted that they would need continued support with the following moving forward, particularly in the event of a second wave:

• Continued provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), clear government guidance and reliable access to testing
• Regular phone calls from Enfield Council (the council is continuing phone calls on a weekly basis and has never stopped them)
• Guidance and support to reassure the home they are 'doing the right things'
• More recognition for care staff, including access to priority shopping hours, priority access to online supermarket delivery slots and access to NHS discounts

Over the period of the pandemic additional support has been provided by a range of agencies including primary care. Feedback from staff reflects a lack of awareness of this support We recommend:

• Improved communications within homes to ensure all staff are kept informed
• Clear guidance on access to GP support and the proposed new IT links to healthcare systems

Feedback from residents and relatives

Although the majority of residents and relatives told us they received information from the home during this time (71 per cent), there were individuals who felt that the information was unclear, generic and/or sporadic and not all residents and relatives were sure if there had been an outbreak in their home.

Almost three quarters of residents and relatives told us they felt they have been given enough support to cope with the impact of Coronavirus on their/their relatives wellbeing (73 per cent) but those who reported not receiving support explained the difficulties they are experiencing with visiting restrictions in place and/or feel their loved ones are not receiving enough support inside the home.

Understandably, most residents and relatives found it difficult with the visiting restrictions in place to help stop the spread of Coronavirus. Although most individuals understood and respected the visiting and other restrictions, those in assisted living accommodation reflected that there should be more flexibility. Almost two thirds of all residents and relatives told us they have been supported by their home to keep in touch with their loved ones, mostly via video calling and/or telephone calls (64 per cent) but it was clear that this was not appropriate for all, especially for those with a hearing impairment or those who had family who worked full time.

Key messages from residents and relatives:

• There needs to be good and regular communication with residents and relatives. Whilst some good practice was reported to us, this should be consistent across homes.
• Residents and relatives should be consulted about decisions in relation to restrictions so that there is an opportunity to understand their wider - impact

Source: www.healthwatchenfield.co.uk/sites/healthwatchenfield.co.uk/files/202010_CareHomeCoronavirusReportFinal.pdf