Background to this inspection
Updated
16 March 2022
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.
As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. In addition, we looked at risk management systems in relation to people’s eating and drinking. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.
This inspection took place on 14 February 2022 and was unannounced. The registered manager was not available during the inspection and the general manager supported the inspection.
Updated
16 March 2022
About the service
This service combines a nursing care home, known as Somerleigh Court and a domiciliary care agency known as Close Care.
The care home accommodates up to 40 people across three floors. The service is located in Dorchester and is a large purpose built building with rooms arranged over three floors. Each floor has a communal lounge and dining area. There is lift and stairs access to each floor. People are able to access a small secure outside space at the home.
Close Care is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own apartments in the purpose built apartment village surrounding Somerleigh Court. There are 68 apartments in the surrounding village. ‘Close Care’ provides a service to people living in the apartments. Not everyone living in the apartments receives a regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care'; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also take into account any wider social care provided. At the time of inspection, Close Care was providing support to fifteen people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Overall people’s medicines were managed safely. However, improvements were needed to the systems to ensure people’s creams were consistently applied as prescribed. The registered manager took immediate action to make changes to ensure this happened.
There was a friendly, welcoming and relaxed atmosphere at the home. Staff cared about people and were committed to providing them with quality care and support. The staff were kind and respectful.
People’s care needs were assessed and met. Each person had a care plan which gave staff details about how to support them in a way that respected their individuality. People received personalised care from staff who knew them well. Staff understood how people communicated.
There were safeguarding systems and procedures in place and staff knew how to report any allegations of abuse.
There were enough staff employed to work at the home and the domiciliary care service. They were safely recruited and trained.
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. However, the records to support this practice were not readily accessible to staff.
The service was well-led. People, staff and visitors spoke highly of the registered manager’s open and clear management style. Quality assurance and monitoring systems were in place to help drive improvements at the service.
People knew how to raise concerns and felt very confident the management team would address and rectify any problems.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good (published 3 April 2018)
Why we inspected
The inspection was prompted in part due to safeguarding concerns received. A decision was made for us to bring forward the scheduled inspection.
We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at any ongoing risk of harm from these concerns.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.