Woodlands Care Home

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.