Background to this inspection
Updated
17 October 2020
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 Care Act 2014.
We undertook this targeted inspection to follow up on specific concerns in relation to infection control and the wearing of Personal Protective Equipment and the service not following government guidance.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
Aaron Court is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
Prior to the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service and notifications we had received. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.
During the inspection
We spoke to three people to ask their views of the service they received. We also spoke with four members of staff, which included the registered manager.
We spent a short time touring the building as soon as we arrived at the service, observing staff to check they were wearing and using PPE correctly.
In order to minimise our time at the service, we requested electronic records where possible.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the registered manager to validate evidence found. We requested further records from the registered manager which were received in a timely way. These included, the service’ infection control policy and the most recent infection control audit.
Updated
17 October 2020
About the service
Aaron Court Care Home is registered to provide personal care for up to 24 older people some of whom may be living with dementia. The property is a large family type home that has been extended and adapted to provide additional bedrooms and living space. Some of the bedrooms were registered as shared bedrooms but only occupied by one person, thereby reducing the maximum capacity to 21. At the time of the inspection there were 21 people in residence.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Staff ensured people were looked after safely. They received safeguarding adults training and knew how to report any safeguarding concerns to the local authority or CQC. The management of risks to people’s health and welfare were assessed and appropriate plans put in place to mitigate those risks. The number of staff on duty each shift were appropriate and ensured each person’s care and support needs were met. Staffing numbers were kept under continual review and adjusted as and when necessary.
The service followed safe recruitment procedures to ensure they only employed suitable staff. Pre-employment checks included written references and a Disclosure and Barring Service check. People received their medicines as prescribed. Medicines were well managed and administered by those staff who had been trained and were competent.
People received person-centred care. Their needs were assessed and a care plan written setting out how they wanted to be looked after. People signed their care plans in agreement. Staff received the training they needed to enable them to do their job well. For new staff there was an induction training programme and for all others there was a mandatory refresher training programme. Staff were well supported to do their job and received a regular supervision session with a senior member of staff.
People were assisted by the staff team to access any healthcare services. People received the food and drink they needed to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. Any preferences they had regarding food and drink were accommodated.
People were encouraged to retain as much choice and control of their daily lives and staff supported them in their best interests. The service was meeting the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
People were looked after by staff who were kind and caring. People and relatives were complimentary about all aspects of care at Aaron Court. People’s individual care and support needs were met and they were encouraged to make their own decisions about their daily life and the way they were looked after. The staff team had kind, friendly and good working relationships with people and their relatives.
The service was responsive to each person’s specific needs and they were able to participate in a range of meaningful social activities. Trips out were arranged weekly and external entertainers visited regularly.
The registered manager and deputy manager provided good leadership and management of the staff team. The service ensured people received the health and social care services they needed. They encouraged people and their families to provide feedback about the service - their views and opinions were listened to and acted upon.
The provider of this service and another service with a separate entity had shared working directors, common to both services. They worked collaboratively with both registered managers to obtain the best possible outcomes for both services. At the time of this inspection the registered manager was not meeting with other relevant health or social care professionals or registered managers with other registered care services.
We have recommended that the provider seek opportunities for the registered manager to liaise and work with other relevant care services, to keep abreast of current best practice.
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 August 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based upon the previous rating.
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.