The Shelley Care Home

Updated 11 May 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 undertaken by one inspector.

Service and service type

The Shelley 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 Shelley Care Home 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 service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

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 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 reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection, including the action plan sent by the registered manager, about changes that had taken place to make improvements. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people and two relatives about their experience of the service. We spoke with the registered manager who is also the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We also spoke with the deputy manager, a senior care assistant and the chef.

We reviewed a range of records including four care plans and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at the provider’s medication policies and audit, and examples of ‘Magical Moments’ between people and staff which the registered manager shared with us.

Updated 11 May 2022

About the service

The Shelley Care Home is a residential care home providing care to 23 older people with a range of health and support needs, including some people living with dementia. The service can support up to 32 people.

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

People were safe living at the home. Their risks were identified and assessed, and staff knew how to support people and prevent the risk of harm. Staffing levels were sufficient and enabled staff to spend time with people. People received their medicines as prescribed.

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. People had access to a range of healthcare professionals and services. People’s diets were catered for and they enjoyed a variety of food on offer. Birthdays and special events were celebrated. The home provided a comfortable and relaxed environment for people and visiting relatives.

People were looked after by kind and caring staff, who were patient in their approach and treated people with dignity and respect. One person said, “Nothing is too much trouble, staff are marvellous”. A relative commented, “The last thing I wanted to do was put my mother in a care home, but she was having falls and I couldn’t see her every day. She has a new lease of life here. She was always a shy lady, but I see her sitting in the lounge, singing away. This has been a weight lifted off my shoulders, and she’s putting on weight”. Another relative said, “My Mum came here for respite initially. With the lovely care she’s had here, if she had gone home, I don’t think she would have made it to her next birthday”.

People received personalised care that was responsive to their needs. Activities were planned daily and people could choose whether to participate or not. Outings in the minibus were on offer. Relatives could have lunch with people when visiting. People’s end of life care wishes were acknowledged and provided for.

A range of audits measured and monitored the quality of care provided and drove improvement. People spoke highly of staff and the management team.

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 4 March 2021). This was a focused inspection. The last full inspection had taken place on 19 February 2018. Since then there had been a change of legal entity and a new provider had taken over the home.

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 carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last inspection.

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.

The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good based on the findings of this inspection.

Follow up

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