Westwood House

Updated 10 September 2020

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

This inspection took place on 12 August 2020 and was announced. The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

Updated 10 September 2020

We inspected the service on 17 and 18 December 2018. The inspection was unannounced.

Westwood House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The service can accommodate up to 49 people.

At the time of our inspection 39 people were living in the care home.

At our last inspection of the service on 18 May 2016 we rated them ‘Good.’ At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of ‘Good’. There was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated any 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.

Most people living in the care home and their relatives we spoke with told us they remained happy with the overall standard of care and support they or their loved one/s received at Westwood House. Staff consistently demonstrated warmth, respect and empathy in their interactions with people they supported at the care home. Our discussions with external community health and social care professionals supported this.

People continued to receive a safe service where they were protected from avoidable harm, discrimination and abuse. Risks associated with people’s needs including the environment, had been assessed and planned for and these were monitored for any changes. There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty to meet people’s needs and safe staff recruitment procedures were in place and used. The environment was kept hygienically clean and staff demonstrated good awareness of their role and responsibilities in relation to infection control and food hygiene. People received their prescribed medicines safely and these were managed in line with best practice guidance.

People continued to receive an effective service. Staff received the training and support they required including specialist training to meet people’s individual needs. People were supported with their nutritional needs. Staff identified when people required further support with eating and drinking and took appropriate action. The staff worked well with external health care professionals, people were supported with their needs and accessed health services when required. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. The principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) were followed. Since our last inspection the premises had been refurbished and decorated.

People continued to receive care from staff who were kind, compassionate. Staff treated people with dignity and respected their privacy. Staff had developed positive relationships with the people they supported, they understood people’s needs, preferences, and what was important to them. Staff knew how to comfort people when they were distressed and made sure that emotional support was provided. When people were nearing the end of their life, they received compassionate and supportive care. People were supported to do as much as they could and wanted to do for themselves to retain control and independence over their lives. People were supported to maintain relationships with their relatives and friends.

People continued to receive a responsive service. People’s needs were assessed and planned for with the involvement of the person and or their relative where required. People received person centred care and support that was tailored to their individual needs and wishes. Each person had an up to date and personalised care plan, which set out how their care and support needs should be met by staff. People received opportunities to pursue their interests and hobbies, and social activities were offered. There was a complaint procedure and action had been taken to learn and improve where this was possible.

The service continued to be well-led. The registered manager and senior nurses continued to be well-regarded by people living in the home, their relatives, external health and social care professionals and other staff who worked in the care home. The monitoring of service provision was effective because repeated shortfalls were identified and resolved. Accidents and incidents were analysed for lessons learnt and these were shared with the staff team to reduce further reoccurrence. The service had an open and transparent culture. People were asked to share their feedback about the service and action was taken in response.