Updated 13 December 2023
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.
Inspection team
An inspector, a regulatory coordinator and an Expert by Experience took part in the inspection process. 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
Dovedale Court 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. Dovedale Court is a care home with 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.
Inspection activity started on 14 November 2023 and ended on 21 November. We visited the service on 14 November 2023 and 16 November.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We used 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
During inspection we spoke with 5 people living at the home and 6 relatives about their experience of care provided by Dovedale Court. We spoke with 10 members of staff including the regional director, the registered manager, nurses, senior care workers, a housekeeper, maintenance person, activities coordinator and care staff. We observed people’s interactions and the care they received. This helped us understand the experiences of people with limited communication.
We observed medication administration and checked medication storage and recording systems. We reviewed a range of records including 4 people’s care records and recruitment files for 6 staff.
We looked at records relating to health and safety such as fire safety information, testing records and servicing documents. We checked the environment, equipment, facilities and cleanliness; to assess if the home was safe and fit for purpose.
We remotely reviewed information relating to the management of the service such as policies and procedures, audits, meeting minutes, rotas and surveys. We sought additional evidence and clarification from the registered manager via email.