Care at Parkside

Updated 22 February 2024

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 Care Act 2014.

This was a focussed inspection to check whether the provider had met the requirements of the requirement notice in relation to Regulation 17 (Good Governance) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

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

The inspection was carried out by an inspector and an Expert 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

Care at Parkside 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 who was in the process of registering with the Care Quality Commission. They were the owner of the home. The registered manager 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 used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with five relatives on the telephone about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with the manager in person, and two carers and the deputy manager on the telephone.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and all medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and audits were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training and supervision records, infection control policies, staff rotas, information about activities and revised care plans.

Updated 22 February 2024

About the service

Care at Parkside is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 24 people. The service is based in Oldham. At the time of our inspection there were 15 people living at the home.

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

We found improvements were needed in the documentation used for the administration of medicines and in the governance of the service. Although audits and checks were completed regularly, some were not effective and action had not always been taken when problems were identified.

On the whole, feedback from relatives about the home was positive. Staff had received training in safeguarding and knew how to identify and report any concerns. There were enough staff to meet people's needs and keep them safe. The home was clean and nicely decorated and good infection control practices were followed. Equipment was regularly checked and serviced in line with guidance. However, no action had been taken when bathroom water temperatures were found to be too high. This concern was rectified after our inspection.

Care records were person-centred and described people’s likes and dislikes and how they wished to be supported. People were encouraged to take part in activities. There had been an improvement in the way participation in activities was recorded in people’s care records.

Since our last inspection there had been a change to the management structure of the service, with the owner taking on the additional responsibility of managing the home on a day to day basis. They were in the process of registering with the CQC to become the registered manager.

Staff, people who used the service and relatives were encouraged to provide feedback about the home and the care and support provided. This was used to drive forward change. On the whole relatives felt they were kept informed and communication was good, although one person we spoke with felt this could be improved.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

At our last inspection (report published 30 October 2020) we did not rate the service. However, we identified a breach of regulation 17 (good governance) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection not enough improvement had been made and the provider was still in breach of regulations.

At the last inspection that we provided a rating (report published 20 July 2019) this service was rated requires improvement.

Why we inspected

We undertook this focussed inspection to follow up on enforcement action we took following our last inspection and to confirm the service now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the key questions of Safe, Responsive and Well-Led which contain those requirements.

The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has remained requires improvement. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for Care at Parkside on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

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

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to discharge our regulatory enforcement functions required to keep people safe and to hold providers to account where it is necessary for us to do so.

At this inspection we have identified a breach in relation to the governance of the service. Full information about CQC's regulatory response to the more serious concerns found during inspections is added to reports after any representations and appeals have been concluded.