We carried out a review of the data available to us about The Old Vicarage on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about The Old Vicarage, you can give feedback on this service.
The Old Vicarage is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 28 older people, including those who are living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 24 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People and relatives spoke positively about the staff and the care provided. Comments included, “They are really nice. [Relative] likes fun and carry on and they do have fun with her. She says they are lovely” and “We have the reassurance that she is being looked after well.”
There was a system in place to assess, monitor and manage risk. However, not all risks relating to the environment had been fully assessed. We have made a recommendation about this. Following our visits to the home, the registered manager took immediate action to address the issues we had identified relating to the environment.
There were sufficient staff deployed to meet people’s needs. Staff rotas were adjusted to take into account the change of seasons. During the summer months, staff started work at 7am, since many people liked to rise earlier when the mornings were lighter.
There was a system in place to manage medicines. The management of topical medicines did not follow best practice guidelines. The registered manager took immediate action to address this issue.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People and relatives spoke positively about the "homely" environment. A new 10 bed extension had recently been built. Further adjustments were being made to communal and staffing areas to ensure these areas reflected the increase in people living at the home. One relative told us, “I think it is homely. There are no long corridors or locked doors. The transition from her own home was smooth. It felt welcoming. It has the smaller touches like keeping people together for meals. Things are kept small and it has the personal touch. It has the trust factor. I can 100% recommend this home.”
Staff were suitably trained and supported. People and relatives told us they considered staff knew what they were doing. One relative told us, “He is comfortable there and staff are confident looking after him.”
The home was part of the local community. Many of the staff lived in the same area as people and so they shared a common interest in amenities and events in the local community. One relative told us, “It is a small and homely place and it is kept as part of the community.”
Records were not fully available to demonstrate how the provider was meeting their responsibilities under the duty of candour. The duty of candour regulation tells providers they must be open and transparent with people about their care and treatment, as well as with people acting on their behalf. It sets out some specific things providers must do when something goes wrong with someone's care or treatment, including telling them what has happened, giving support, giving truthful information and apologising. We have made a recommendation about this.
The provider and management staff promoted a person-centred, inclusive culture which enabled people to achieve positive outcomes. Projects such as ‘Three wishes’ and ‘Resident of the day’ had been introduced to help ensure people achieved positive outcomes.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for the service under the previous provider was outstanding (published 22 May 2018). The provider of the Old Vicarage changed on 8 September 2021. Most aspects of the company remained the same; with the exception of an additional director.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the date the service was registered.
Recommendations
We have made recommendations in the safe and well-led key questions in relation to the assessment of environmental risks and duty of candour. Please see these sections for further details.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.