Archived: Priesty Fields Care Home

Updated 9 February 2023

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

This inspection was carried out by two inspectors, one 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

Priesty Fields Care Home 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. Priesty Fields Care Home is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was not a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work 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 living in the home, six relatives, five members of staff, the deputy manager, the quality compliance manager and 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 five files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 9 February 2023

About the service

Priesty Fields Care Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 78 people across four floors, each of which has separate adapted facilities. At the time of our inspection there were 32 people using the service.

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

At this inspection, we found concerns with the management of risk, medicines, record keeping and governance. We have also made a recommendation about appropriate documentation regarding recruitment.

Medicines were not always managed safely within the home, care files at times held conflicting information and the monitoring information for people’s well-being was not routinely completed. Additionally, the audits that where in place had not identified the issues found during the inspection.

People felt safe with staff, who had the appropriate training and skills to provide care safely and effectively. The provider had systems in place to ensure people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Staff received an induction and were supported through a programme of regular supervision and training.

Positive working partnerships with other agencies and health and social care professionals had been formed and it had been noted that the provider was very responsive to any feedback and took action to remedy any issues. GPs and other healthcare professionals were contacted for advice about people’s health needs whenever necessary.

Complaints were managed appropriately and monitored by management. Infection control standards were also monitored and managed well. A family member told us “The cleaners are very good, and the place is spotless.”

We observed support being provided in the home and saw this was done in a caring, responsive and patient manner. We saw people were comfortable in the presence of staff.

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.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 20 August 2021 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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.

We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the Safe and Well-led sections of this full report.

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

Enforcement and Recommendations

We have identified breaches in relation to medicines management, risk management, record keeping and governance.

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.