Corton House

Updated 7 June 2022

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by two inspectors, a medicines inspector, and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Corton House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Corton House is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority who works with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with six people who used the service and five relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 10 members of staff including the registered manager, the general manager, the head of care, three care supervisors, a team leader, a care assistant, a house keeper, and kitchen assistant. We also spoke with the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We reviewed a range of records. This included five people's care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider and registered manager to validate evidence found. We received further evidence by email which we reviewed including policies, training information, and staff rotas. We also spoke with the chair of the board of trustees.

Updated 7 June 2022

About the service

Corton House is a not for profit residential care home with charitable status and a Christian ethos providing personal care to 40 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 44 people. Accommodation is provided over two floors. Bedrooms have en-suite facilities and there are several communal spaces, including a communal lounge, garden room, activities room and dining room.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were not always supported to stay safe because individual risks to them had not always been identified or assessed. Medicines were not always managed safely. Some people had not received their medicines because the service had not obtained them in time. People were not fully protected from infection control risks as we identified some staff were not wearing masks properly and consistently. Governance systems were not effective as they had failed to identify the concerns and improvements required.

The physical environment was well maintained, clean and hygienic. The registered manager had taken action to review staffing arrangements, so people were supported by enough staff. Staff had been recruited safely. Staff were supported to discuss incidents that had occurred and learning from these was encouraged. The provider maintained oversight of any safeguarding concerns and these were reported to the appropriate authorities as required.

Staff worked with other professionals to ensure people’s needs were met. There was a strong inclusive culture in the service. People, relatives, and staff were listened to and involved in the running of the service.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 19 May 2021)

Why we inspected

We received concerns in relation to the management of medicines and how staff supported people with their mobility. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe and well-led only.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.

The overall rating for the service has changed from good to requires improvement based on the findings of this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Corton House on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.medicines and moving and handling.

You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.

Enforcement

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.

We have identified breaches in relation to safe care and governance at this inspection.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.