Woodlands Care Home

Updated 3 March 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 2 inspectors, 1 medicines inspector and 2 Experts 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

Woodlands 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. Woodlands Care Home 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 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 CQC 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 a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

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 the registered manager, the regional manager and 5 support staff. We spoke with 11 people receiving support and 5 relatives. We reviewed 3 people's care records. We reviewed records and audits relating to the management of the service.

We asked the registered manager to send us documents before and after the on-site inspection. These were provided in a timely manner and this evidence was included as part of our inspection.

We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

Updated 3 March 2023

About the service

Woodlands Care Home is a care home providing personal care to older people and people living with dementia. The service accommodates 55 people in one adapted building. At the time of the inspection 54 people were using the service.

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

We found systems for managing medicines were not always safe. Medicines were ordered, but not always delivered or booked in in a timely manner. As a result, people did not always receive their medicines as prescribed.

We have made recommendations about the effective recording of people's needs within care plans and auditing systems.

Staff were trained to recognise potential risks and signs of abuse. Risks to people's safety and wellbeing were assessed and reviewed by managers. Staffing levels were safe and reviewed regularly by managers. Staff used personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriately when supporting people.

Healthy lifestyles were promoted, and systems were in place to make sure people's health needs were met. Menu planning met people's dietary needs and considered individual and cultural preferences. Staff had the skills and knowledge to deliver care effectively. The environment was well maintained and designed to meet people's needs.

People's needs were assessed and reviewed regularly, and staff were trained to provide support whilst promoting independence. People told us staff were polite and always asked before providing support.

Feedback we received from people who used the service and their relatives was complimentary about staff. People had access to healthcare professionals. People and their relatives told us they were involved in the support planning process to ensure it met their needs

The registered manager had a clear focus on quality and worked alongside staff. Staff worked well with other services and appropriate referrals were made in a timely manner.

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 Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Rating at last inspection and update

This service was registered with us on 7 January 2022 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.

Enforcement and Recommendations

We have identified a breach in relation to managing medicines safely at this inspection. Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

We have made recommendations about improvements in care plan records and auditing.

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.