Doveridge Care Home

Updated 31 March 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 17 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 31 March 2021

About the service

Doveridge is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 20 older people who may be living with dementia. The home provides accommodation in one adapted building. At the time of the inspection there were 19 people living there.

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

People and their relatives were overwhelmingly positive about the care they received. A relative told us, “I think this place is amazing. Nothing is too much trouble. The staff are so kind. I can’t praise it highly enough”. People told us they felt safe and there were enough staff to meet their needs. Staff were safely recruited and given suitable training. Care was taken to ensure people received their medicines safely.

There was a stable, happy and competent staff team. Staff told us they were well supported by the management team and by their colleagues. A member of staff told us, “I have such a pride in my job”. Some staff had been appointed as ‘ambassadors’ specialising in topics such as palliative care, nutrition and diabetes. They carried out research and shared their knowledge with the rest of the staff team.

There was a strong emphasis on supporting people to stay healthy. There was a focus on healthy eating and maintaining safe fluid levels. A person told us, “The food is good here and we get choices of what we can have”. Staff knew each person well and were passionate about ensuring people received the best possible care. People’s needs were carefully assessed before they moved into the home and a plan of their care needs was drawn up and agreed with them. Risks to their health and safety were understood and well managed. The environment has been decorated, furnished and equipped to meet the needs of the people living there.

People were involved and consulted about all aspects of the service. Their views were welcomed, and suggestions acted upon. People knew how to make a complaint and were confident any concerns or grumbles would be listened to and addressed. Staff were determined to make people’s lives as happy and fulfilling as possible. They found out about the things people enjoyed, and they helped each person draw up a ‘wish list’ of the things they wanted to do. Two activities organisers were employed who provided a wide range of activities and outings to suit each person’s individual interests and abilities

People, visitors and staff praised the management team and told us the home was well-run. A person said “The manager listens to me and she does what she says she will. She is kind and caring and very easy to talk to”. The provider, management team and staff constantly looked for ways of improving care for people. There were systems in place to regularly check all aspects of the service and make sure people received a safe and effective 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 service was previously inspected on 30 August and 1 September 2016 when the service was rated as Outstanding.

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.