Condition Survey - Abbotswood Nursing Home

Summary

The requester sought details regarding the commissioning, brief, notes, and distribution of a condition survey for Abbotswood Nursing Home. The Department of Health and Social Care disclosed that the survey was verbally commissioned by the Deputy Chief Executive (Governance) on 22 April 2020 but withheld the original brief and notes as they are held by the Department of Infrastructure.

Key Facts

• The survey was requested by the Deputy Chief Executive (Governance) of the Department of Health and Social Care.
• The instruction to carry out the survey was given verbally to the Department of Infrastructure on 22 April 2020.
• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the original brief or the report writer's notes.
• The Department of Infrastructure was directly involved in commissioning the survey and producing the report.
• The final report was dated 24 April 2020.

Data Disclosed

• 22 April 2020
• 24 April 2020
• 27 July 2020
• 20 August 2020
• Section 11(3)(a)

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11(3)(a) of the Act (Information not held by the authority)

Original Request

A report was produced for the Department of Infrastructure dated 24 April 2020 called "Department of Infrastructure, Public Estates & Housing Division, Condition Survey, Abbotswood Nursing Home". 1. Who gave the report writer instructions to carry out the survey and produce the report? 2. When was the report writer given instructions to carry out the survey and produce the report? 3. Please provide a copy of the original brief (and any amendments thereto) given to the report writer to conduct the survey and produce the report. 4. Please provide copies of the report writer 's notes taken for the purposes of the survey and to complete the report. 5. Please provide any correspondence and information relating to instructions to prepare the report and the purpose of the report including all telephone notes, emails, handwritten notes, etc. particularly instructions or requests made by DHSC Infection Control in relation to the property or relevant standards. 6. Please provide any correspondence and instructions given to the painting contractor referred to in the report and any tendering process in respect of that work. 7. Please provide a copy of Infection Control's new hygiene standards referred to in the report. 8. Please provide a copy of the infection control regulations for a nursing home referred to in the report. 9. Please provide information (by way of specific individuals or by describing a class of individuals) about to whom the report was distributed. As some of the above information may be held by DoI an identical request is being made to that Department.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Chief Executive: Kathryn Magson Freedom of Information Team Crookall House Demesne Road Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3QA

(01624) 642621 dhsc@foi.gov.im Website: www.gov.im/dhsc

Our ref: 1387829 20 August 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 27 July 2020 and which states:

"A report was produced for the Department of Infrastructure dated 24 April 2020 called "Department of Infrastructure, Public Estates & Housing Division, Condition Survey, and Abbotswood Nursing Home". 1. Who gave the report writer instructions to carry out the survey and produce the report? 2. When was the report writer given instructions to carry out the survey and produce the report? 3. Please provide a copy of the original brief (and any amendments thereto) given to the report writer to conduct the survey and produce the report. 4. Please provide copies of the report writer’s notes taken for the purposes of the survey and to complete the report. 5. Please provide any correspondence and information relating to instructions to prepare the report and the purpose of the report including all telephone notes, emails, handwritten notes, etc. particularly instructions or requests made by DHSC Infection Control in relation to the property or relevant standards. 6. Please provide any correspondence and instructions given to the painting contractor referred to in the report and any tendering process in respect of that work. 7. Please provide a copy of Infection Control's new hygiene standards referred to in the report. 8. Please provide a copy of the infection control regulations for a nursing home referred to in the report. 9. Please provide information (by way of specific individuals or by describing a class of individuals) about to whom the report was distributed. As some of the above information may be held by DoI an identical request is being made to that Department."

Our Response: 1. Who gave the report writer instructions to carry out the survey and produce the report? The Deputy Chief Executive (Governance) of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) requested of the Estates Division of the Department of Infrastructure an inspection of the premises, this verbal instruction was given to the Department of Infrastructure on 22nd April 2020.
2. When was the report writer given instructions to carry out the survey and produce the report? The Deputy Chief Executive (Governance) of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) requested of the Estates Division of the Department of Infrastructure an inspection of the premises, this verbal instruction was given to the Department of Infrastructure on 22nd April 2020 3. Please provide a copy of the original brief (and any amendments thereto) given to the report writer to conduct the survey and produce the report. As outlined above the Department of Infrastructure were directly involved in the commissioning of this survey and subsequent production of the report. Therefore while our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under Section 11(3) (a) of the Act, the Department of Health and Social Care does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. 4. Please provide copies of the report writer’s notes taken for the purposes of the survey and to complete the report. As outlined above the Department of Infrastructure were directly involved in the commissioning of this survey and subsequent production of the report. Therefore while our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under Section 11(3) (a) of the Act, the Department of Health and Social Care does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. 5. Please provide any correspondence and information relating to instructions to prepare the report and the purpose of the report including all telephone notes, emails, handwritten notes, etc. particularly instructions or requests made by DHSC Infection Control in relation to the property or relevant standards. As outlined above the Department of Infrastructure were directly involved in the commissioning of this survey and subsequent production of the report. Therefore while our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under Section 11(3) (a) of the Act, the Department of Health and Social Care does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested.

However, by way of providing advice and assistance the Department of Health and Social Care use the following guidance as best practice: HTM 01-09 Infection control in the built environment (2013) in healthcare https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm ent_data/file/170705/HBN_00-09_infection_control.pdf Department of Health – Prevention and control of infection in care homes – an information resource: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm ent_data/file/214929/Care-home-resource-18-February-2013.pdf The Impact Furniture and Infection Control Can have on Infection Control White Paper: https://www.healthcentric.com/wpcontent/ uploads/downloads/2014/09/healtHcentric_InfectionControl_web.pdf The National Infection Prevention and Control Manual, along with other guidance on the Department’s website: https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/departments/health-and-socialcare/ guidance-centre/disease-control/ 6. Please provide any correspondence and instructions given to the painting contractor referred to in the report and any tendering process in respect of that work. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under Section 11(3) (a) of the Act, the Department of Health and Social Care does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. However by way of providing advice and assistance the Department of Infrastructure provide such services to the Department of Health and Social Care within the parameters of the Isle of Man Government Financial Regulations. 7. Please provide a copy of Infection Control's new hygiene standards referred to in the report. As outlined above the Department of Infrastructure were directly involved in the commissioning of this survey and subsequent production of the report. Therefore while our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under Section 11(3) (a) of the Act, the Department of Health and Social Care does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. However, by way of providing advice and assistance the Department of Health and Social Care use the following guidance as best practice: HTM 01-09 Infection control in the built environment (2013) in healthcare: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm ent_data/file/170705/HBN_00-09_infection_control.pdf

1. Please provide a copy of the infection control regulations for a nursing home referred to in the report. As outlined above the Department of Infrastructure were directly involved in the commissioning of this survey and subsequent production of the report. Therefore while our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under Section 11(3) (a) of the Act, the Department of Health and Social Care does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. However, by way of providing advice and assistance the Department of Health and Social Care can confirm reference in HTM 01-09 Infection control in the built environment (2013) in healthcare. Please see the guidance section on carpets below, in an ideal world; vinyl flooring is more effective for cleaning. Carpets (HTM 01-09 Infection control in the built environment) 3.115 Carpets should not be used in clinical areas. This includes all areas where frequent spillage is anticipated. Spillage can occur in all clinical areas, corridors and entrances. Aesthetic considerations and noise reduction are most often cited as the reason for using carpets; yet in areas of frequent spillage or heavy traffic, they can quickly become unsightly. Smell and staining have been responsible for the removal of carpets in many clinical areas (see Appendix 1 for flooring in mental health settings). 3.116 If carpets are to be considered for non-clinical areas (for example, interview rooms, counselling suites, consulting rooms), it is essential that a documented local risk assessment is carried out with IPC involvement and a clearly defined pre-planned preventative maintenance and cleaning programme is put in place. 3.117 Where the care environment is also a person’s home, such as a residential setting for people with a learning disability, carpets may be acceptable. The use of carpets may be appropriate in such facilities but the need for frequent cleaning should be considered in the design stage, both in the choice of carpet and its continued maintenance. 3.118 Facilities should also be available for the prompt and effective removal of any spillage
2. Please provide information (by way of specific individuals or by describing a class of individuals) about to whom the report was distributed. The report was distributed to: Interim CEO, DHSC; Deputy CEO (Governance), DHSC; Director of Infrastructure, DHSC; DHSC, Head of Registration and Inspection, DHSC; Nobles/Community General Manager; DHSC, CEO Personal Secretary; Clerk to the Care Services Tribunal; Advocate Officers for Abbotswood.

Please quote the reference number 1387829 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested. In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely