Signature at Weybridge

Updated 16 July 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 three inspectors.

Service and service type

Signature at Weybridge 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. Signature at Weybridge 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 and Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. 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.

During the inspection

We spoke with 12 people who used the service and received feedback from four relatives about their experience of the care provided. We observed the interactions between people and staff. We spoke with 10 members of staff including the registered manager, the deputy manager, the care coordinator, care staff, kitchen, maintenance and housekeeping staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included multiple people's medicines records and elements of care documentation for nine people. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision and agency staff checks and induction records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including quality monitoring records, risk management records, staff training and meeting records as well as policies and procedures were also reviewed.

Updated 16 July 2022

About the service

Signature at Weybridge is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to up to 110 people. The service provides support to older people who live with physical, health and dementia related care and support needs. At the time of our inspection there were 68 people living and receiving care in the home.

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

People told us they felt safe in the home and with staff. People could do things for themselves but also ask for help which was provided by staff in a timely way. Staff knew people well and supported them in a personalised way. Where people had specific health and care needs, staff knew how to support their safety and wellbeing.

People had individual care plans which were reviewed to address any changing needs. Where required, staff supported people to have their medicines safely and as prescribed, to maintain good nutrition and hydration and to enjoy doing what they liked. This included support to maintain relationships important to people and host visitors or to go out. People’s preference and wishes, including their life stories were known and respected by staff who used that information to provide more effective and responsive support.

People valued staff and found them caring and respectful. One person told us, “It’s very good living here. The people are chirpy and cheerful. It’s very, very good. The people are pleasant.” People and their representatives were involved in their care.

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.

Staff felt supported by the management and competent for their roles. There were enough staff to support people timely and new staff were recruited safely. The management team had clear and robust systems for monitoring quality and safety of people’s care and their home. Where improvements were identified, action was taken to address them.

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 under the previous provider was good, published on 6 April 2018. We had inspected the home but not rated it since the change in its registration. The last inspection was a part of CQC's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and we were assured around how the home managed infection control and visiting arrangements (published 25 April 2022).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection due to the change of provider.

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.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.