The Croft Care Home

Updated 19 October 2022

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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 two inspectors 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

The Croft Care Home is a ‘care home.’ People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. The Croft is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

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. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We inspected the home on 26 September 2022. We spoke with eight people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager and care workers. We reviewed a range of records including three people’s care records including multiple medication records. We reviewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision and observed staff interacting with people.

Updated 19 October 2022

About the service

The Croft Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care to people aged 65 years and over. The home can accommodate up to 29 people. At the time of our inspection there were 18 people using the service. Some people were living with dementia.

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

Systems in place to monitor the service were not always effective. Some audits had identified areas to improve and appropriate actions were taken. However, some issues identified during our inspection, had not previously been highlighted. For example, issues regarding infection control and monitoring of accidents and incidents. We have recommended that that provider reviews the accident and incident monitoring process.

People felt safe living at the home and told us staff cared for them well. Staff were knowledgeable about safeguarding people from the risk of abuse and knew what actions to take if required. People received their medicines as prescribed, by staff who were trained to administer medicines. Risks associated with people’s care were managed safely. Maintenance and servicing of the building and equipment was done in a timely way.

People were supported by staff who knew them well and understood their needs. Staff were kind and considerate in their interactions with people. During our inspection we saw people were engaged in social stimulation. However, people told us there were times when there were limited activities. The registered manager had taken actions to address this prior to our inspection.

Staff felt supported by the management team and received appropriate training to carry out their role.

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 CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 21 June 2019).

The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service. This was a focused inspection looking at the key questions of safe, effective, responsive and well led.

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.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.