Iddenshall Hall

Relatives spoke positively about their experience of visiting. Their comments included, "We did a few visits in the garden that worked well. Then the weather changed so they fitted a screen in the visiting pod. The screen works well and my relative copes really well with it. At first staff stayed in the room and adjusted the microphone but now they leave us to it. We use the on-line system for booking. If we bring anything in for our relative we leave it in the room, and they quarantine it." and "My relative is very enthusiastic about staff and the care they receive; Absolutely loves it; no regrets moving in. The staff always social distance, it’s a really good arrangement with the screen in the room, we are both perfectly safe."

Relatives were kept up to date and informed and people and staff were taking part in regular COVID-19 testing. Relatives’ comments included, "We get regular updates from Barchester by letter and also phone calls from the care home like with the vaccine. We got a call prior to the vaccine to tell us about it and inform us which vaccine our relative was going to be taking and then a follow up call to tell us how our relative felt after it." and "They kept us up to date, they ring as well as send e-mails to let us know about cases of COVID-19. They are very open and transparent, and we always know whether visiting is allowed or not."

The environment was very clean and hygienic and increased cleaning schedules to reduce the risks of cross infection were in place. We observed staff wearing the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) and they knew how to dispose of it safely.

People were monitored for symptoms of COVID-19 and had space to socially isolate in communal areas.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

Iddenshall Hall is a care home located in the village of Clotton, near Tarporley. It is an adapted property with purpose-built extensions on the ground floor level. Care and support is provided for up to 42 older people. At time of our inspection the service was supporting 32 people.

People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided and we reviewed both areas during this inspection.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

The service had a registered manager in post. 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 in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were assessed prior to receiving support from the service to ensure that person centred care and support was provided. Care records included detailed risk assessments and support plans to help staff appropriately manage people's needs and keep them safe from harm. Care and support plans had been developed with the involvement of family and were reviewed regularly to ensure effective support was being provided at all times.

The service continued to use safe recruitment processes to ensure that staff were suitable to work with vulnerable people. Staff had completed a detailed induction program and shadow shifts with experienced staff members before lone working. Staff completed mandatory training as well as additional training specific to people's individual needs. Staff were supported in their role through regular supervision and meetings to ensure they maintained the right skills and knowledge to carry out their role.

Staff had received training in relation to safeguarding adults from abuse and understood what actions they should take when concerns are identified. Safeguarding policies were available for staff to access when needed.

Medicines were stored, managed and disposed of safely by staff who were suitably trained to administer medications to people living in the home. Staff consistently and accurately completed medicine administration records (MARs). The registered provider had policies and procedures in place for the safe management of medicines.

Consent was gained in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005; the registered manager, management team and care staff understood the need to obtain consent from people prior to offering support.

Interactions between staff and people being supported were positive and staff showed a good knowledge of the people they supported. People were treated with dignity and respect and staff ensured privacy was maintained at all times. People were encouraged to be as independent as possible and provided with choice and control over their day-to-day lives ensuring that the least restrictive support was given where appropriate.

Activities within the home were extremely person centred. People were offered an extensive range of activities that were based on their likes and preferences. The service's activities co-ordinators ensured that people were involved in the choices of activities provided. The activities co-ordinators worked extremely hard to ensure that people experienced positive outcomes and to improve socialisation, physical strength and mobility, independence and confidence.

The quality and safety of the service was assessed and monitored regularly and improvements made where required. The management team were open and inclusive and showed a desire to maintain and improve on the quality of the service being provided.

Following the compliance action made during the planned review in July 2013 the provider sent an action plan which showed how and when the service would be compliant with outcome 13.

We contacted the provider and they supplied evidence we requested to assess compliance with staffing.

We spoke with seven people who used the service and their relatives, five staff and three professionals involved in the service. People who used the service said 'The home is very clean', 'The staff are very good and caring' and "I am well cared for." Relatives commented 'I am always offered refreshments when I visit', 'The staff are lovely and pleasant' and 'I have no concerns and I am very happy with the home.' Staff commented 'The staff team get on well together', 'We have regular staff meetings'and 'The management team are helpful and professional.' Other professionals commented 'The staff seem to know the patients and their needs well', 'The home is always clean when I visit' and 'I have no concerns or complaints."

We looked at staffing levels at the service. We found that on three occasions there had been periods of time during the night when staffing levels were below normal levels. A compliance action has been made.

We saw that Iddenshall Hall had received three complaints since the last inspection and the Commission had not received any complaints about the service.

We observed interactions between the people who used the service and staff and found a relaxed and friendly atmosphere between them. We found the home was clean and odour free.

We spoke with five staff members and they confirmed that they liked working at Iddenshall Hall. They said "I really like my job", "The staff team work well together", "Its very nice here" and "The residents are lovely here and I feel I have achieved something when I cheer them up." All staff spoken with confirmed that they had good support from the manager and the senior staff team.

During the visit we spoke with a visitor who commented "The staff are very friendly here. There are lots of activities for people to join in. When we were looking for a care home, we looked at about ten and this is the only one that asked about Mum as a person with a past history, rather than problems she now had. I was impressed with that."