Ridgegate Home

Updated 9 March 2022

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 28 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service a short notice period of the inspection.

Updated 9 March 2022

Ridgegate Home (Ridgegate) is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided and both were looked at during this inspection. Ridgegate accommodates up to 25 people in one building. The building is an old converted house set over five floors.

At the time of our unannounced inspection on 5 November 2018 there were 18 older people living at the home.

There was a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The registered manager assisted us with our inspection.

We last inspected Ridgegate in October 2017 when we rated the service as Requires Improvement. This was because we found shortfalls in medicines management practices, following legal requirements in relation to consent and the governance of the service. Following that inspection, the registered manager sent us an action plan telling us how when they planned to meet the regulations. We checked at this inspection whether or not they had followed their action plan and we found they had.

People were cared for by staff who had undergone induction and training for their role and had continued support from their line managers. However, we have made a recommendation to the registered provider to ensure all staff have a thorough induction period.

The service had gone through a period where maintaining consistent staffing levels had been a challenge, however recruitment had taken place and things were gradually settling down. Staff told us the culture within the staff team was good and the registered manager led the service well. Staff had undergone robust recruitment processes to help ensure they were suitable to work in the service. Staff also recognised their responsibility in safeguarding in order to keep people safe from abuse.

People lived in an environment that was adapted for their needs and free from infection due to the good processes staff followed. People were enabled to make decisions about their care, remain independent and participate in activities if they wished. People’s risks had been identified and staff followed good practices to help ensure risks to people were reduced and as such accidents and incidents occurred less.

People’s needs were assessed before they moved into the home. These pre-assessments formed the basis of their care plan which contained sufficient information to enable staff to provide effective and responsive care. Although we have recommended the registered provider ensures that care plans are person-centred. People received the medicines they required and were supported to access healthcare professionals when needed.

People were given a choice of foods and specific dietary needs were recognised. Staff demonstrated a kind, caring and attentive approach towards people. People were supported to maintain relationships that meant something to them as we saw visitors and relatives visiting during the day. Where people had end of life wishes these were recorded.

People’s consent was sought before care was carried out by following the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Complaints were listened to and responded to appropriately. Staff had the opportunity to provide feedback to make improvements. The registered manager worked with external agencies to help ensure continued improvement within the service for the benefit of people.

On-going auditing undertaken to help ensure a good quality of care was provided. The registered manager submitted notifications in line with requirements.