Woodhorn Park

Updated 18 February 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.

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 1 inspector 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

Woodhorn Park 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. Woodhorn park 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. We contacted the local authority commissioning team for their feedback about 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 spoke with 8 people who lived at Woodhorn Park and 4 people’s relatives about their experience of the care provided. We observed interactions between staff and people in communal areas. We spoke with 7 members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, senior carers, care staff and housekeepers. We reviewed a range of records. This included 4 people's care records and multiple medication records. We looked at 2 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures, were reviewed.

Updated 18 February 2023

About the service

Woodhorn Park is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 61 people across two floors in a purpose-built building. The service provides support to people living with dementia and those requiring support with personal care. At the time of our inspection there were 59 people using the service.

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

People were safe from the risk of abuse. Risks to people were assessed and regularly reviewed when people's needs changed. The building was well maintained, and health and safety risks were assessed.

Medicines were managed safely. The provider employed sufficient staff, staff were trained appropriately and recruited safely. Staff worked effectively with visiting professionals. Infection control measures were in place, and visiting was managed safely.

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 said staff were very caring and kind. People were supported to maintain their independence and were treated with dignity and respect.

There was a positive culture. Staff and relatives said the management team were supportive. Quality assurance checks were taking place, lessons had been learnt and improvements were made continuously.

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 29 March 2022).

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 9, 10 and 17.

At our last inspection we recommended that the provider ensured they were following best practice guidance for recruitment. At this inspection we found that improvements had been made.

Why we inspected

We carried out an unannounced inspection of this service on 13 January 2022. Breaches of legal requirements were found. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve person-centred care, dignity and respect and good governance.

We undertook this focused inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the key questions safe, caring and well-led which contain those requirements.

For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last comprehensive inspection to calculate the overall rating. The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good. This is based on the findings at this 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.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Woodhorn Park on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

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