A care home has been rated good after adapting to changes during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated 2,3 and 4 Nightingale Close, in Witham an overall good rating at the latest inspection.

The properties provide accommodation and personal care for up to 18 people with a learning disability. At the time of the inspection, 15 people were living at the service.

The inspection was carried out to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of the CQC’s response to the pandemic, inspectors are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control.

The report said: “The premises were clean and hygienic. Cleaning schedules were in place, including form touch points.

“Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and appropriate handwashing and sanitising facilities were available to staff.

“The staff and residents were taking part in regular Covid-19 testing and had been given the Covid-19 vaccine.

“If people lacked capacity, the best interest decisions had been taken to inform if people should have the vaccination.

“Some staff had refused to accept the Covid-19 vaccination and the registered provider was providing information workshops to these staff to encourage up take.

“Staff had been trained in infection prevention control (IPC) and Covid-19.

“Plans were in place which looked at how the service could cohort staff and zone the service effectively if there was an infection or an outbreak in the future.”

Inspectors also recognised that residents were able to in touch with their families with visits within government guidelines.

The report added: “We were assured that the provider was promoting safety through the layout and hygiene practices of the premises.

“Plans were in place with providing guidance around how the service could cohort and zone the service effectively, if there was an infection or an outbreak in the future.”

The premises also received a a good rating at the previous inspection in 2017.