Deerhurst Care Home

Updated 17 March 2022

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 care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 8 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service short notice of the inspection.

Updated 17 March 2022

About the service

Deerhurst Care Home is a care home that provides accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care to 66 older people. The service is provided in accommodation over two floors. At the time of the inspection, 66 people were living at the home.

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

People consistently told us that staff were exceptionally kind, caring and compassionate and health and social care professionals told us staff were exceptional in the way in which they provided care and support.

There was a strong culture of person-centred care. Staff in all roles were motivated to ensure people had the best day possible and all understood how their role and interactions contributed to people's wellbeing. There was a culture of inclusiveness and one which acknowledged and recognised the different needs of people. There was a strong emphasis on encouraging people to maintain independence and respecting people’s privacy.

The environment of the home continued to be exceptionally dementia friendly. Since the last inspection the registered manager had continued to be creative with the environment which people lived in. The changes made had continued to have a positive impact on people’s wellbeing. Staff knew people well and were creative when assisting people to eat and drink. We observed the staff used a range of communication methods to encourage people to eat and drink.

People were encouraged where possible to make their own choices and decisions about aspects of their daily life. Where people lacked the capacity to make decisions for themselves the staff knew what to do to ensure that any decisions made on behalf of the person was made in their best interests. We found the service to be meeting the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

People received care that was extremely personalised and responsive to their specific needs and preferences. There was a strong focus on providing meaningful activities which promoted people's physical and emotional wellbeing. Staff had gone the extra mile in ensuring the people maintained and experienced interests and activities that were important to them. People and their relatives described how responsive staff had been to their needs. All levels of the service demonstrated a strong commitment to providing a personalised and holistic service. The registered manager and staff showed a commitment to ensure people's quality of life was optimised and provided emotional support. People were treated as individuals when considering recording any preferences or wishes at end of life.

The registered manager and provider were deeply involved in all aspects of the running of the home and provided their team with excellent leadership. This ensured all staff had the same aim to enable people living with dementia to lead fulfilled lives. The culture of Deerhurst Care Home was exceptionally open and positive. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly. The registered manager worked in collaboration with other professionals and had undertaken project work within the home. The registered manager shared best practice with other providers and helped to drive improvements.

People were safe. Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding. Staff had received regular training to make sure they stayed up to date with recognising and reporting safety concerns. The service had systems in place to notify the appropriate authorities where concerns were identified. Where risks to people had been identified assessments were in place and action had been taken to manage the risks. Staff were aware of people's needs and followed guidance to keep them safe. People were encouraged to take positive risks to help them live a meaningful life. People received their medicine as prescribed.

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