Background to this inspection
Updated
9 December 2021
The inspection
This was a targeted inspection to check whether the provider had met the requirements on a specific concern we had about the safe management of people’s medicines.
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 two inspectors (a lead and medicines inspector)
Service and service type
Wheatridge Court is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.
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 professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with three people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager and assistant deputy manager and a care worker who administers medicines.
We checked the storage of medicines and looked at medicines related documentation and records.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.
Updated
9 December 2021
This inspection was completed on 15 November 2018 and was unannounced.
Wheatridge Court is a ‘care home’ and provides a period of re-enablement to people who have experienced deterioration in their physical and sensory health. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Wheatridge Court accommodates 30 people in one adapted building. There were 16 people living at Wheatridge Court at the time of the inspection.
There was a registered manager in post at the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run
The previous inspection was completed in October 2017 and the service was rated ‘Requires Improvement’ overall. At the inspection in October 2017, we found two breaches of the regulations. Risks to people’s health and wellbeing were not always assessed and guidance was not available to support staff to keep people safe. We also found that management systems were not always effective to check the quality of the service and, identify and address shortfalls.
At this inspection, we found improvements had been made and the requirements of the regulations had been met. Following this inspection the service has been rated ‘Good’ overall.
People received safe care and treatment. Staff had been trained in safeguarding and had a good understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures. The administration and management of medicines was safe. There were sufficient numbers of staff working at the service. There was a robust recruitment process to ensure suitable staff were recruited.
Risk assessments were updated to ensure people were supported in a safe manner and risks were minimised. Where people had suffered an accident, themes and trends had been analysed, and action had been taken to ensure people were safe and plans put in place to minimise the risk of re-occurrence.
Staff had received training appropriate to their role. People were supported to access health professionals when required. They could choose what they liked to eat and drink and were supported on a regular basis to participate in meaningful activities.
People were supported in an individualised way that encouraged them to be as independent as possible. People were given information about the service in ways they wanted to and could understand.
People and their relatives were positive about the care and support they received. They told us staff were caring and kind and they felt safe living in the home. We observed staff supporting people in a caring and patient way. Staff knew people they supported well and could describe what they liked to do and how they liked to be supported.
The service was responsive to people’s needs. Care plans were person centred to guide staff to provide consistent, high quality care and support. Daily records were detailed and provided evidence of person centred care. People were supported to engage in activities which were to their personal preferences.
The service was well led. People, staff and relatives spoke positively about the registered manager. Quality assurance checks were in place and identified actions to improve the service. The registered manager sought feedback from people and their relatives to continually improve the service.