Cranhill Nursing Home

Updated 14 May 2021

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 the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. At our last inspection we identified a breach of Regulation 12 Safe care and treatment of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 in relation to infection prevention and control practices in the service. This was a targeted inspection to check whether the provider had met the requirements of that breach.

This inspection took place on 26 April 2021 and was unannounced.

Updated 14 May 2021

We undertook this unannounced inspection on 13 and 15 November 2018. The last comprehensive inspection of the service was carried out in August 2017, and a focussed inspection was carried out in February 2018.

At the last comprehensive inspection, we identified breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. Shortfalls related to safeguarding people and obtaining their consent, staff training and insufficient staff to support people. Audits did not always identify shortfalls found during the inspection. Following the last comprehensive inspection, we asked the provider to make improvements to the service. At this inspection, we found that improvements had been made.

Cranhill is a 'nursing home'. People in nursing homes receive accommodation and nursing 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. Cranhill Nursing Home provides care for up to 31 people. At the time of our inspection there were 19 people living there. The communal areas of the service were all on the ground floor. Bedrooms were available on all floors and an elevator and stair lifts enabled people to access each floor. Some bedrooms were en-suite, and some were large enough to enable couples to share a room.

A registered manager was in post at the time of our inspection. 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 supported by adequate numbers of staff to meet their needs, however agency staff supported shortfalls in staffing numbers. At the time of the inspection, the provider was trying to recruit to fill vacant posts. The provider followed effective procedures to ensure prospective staff were suitable to work in the service, and checks were also carried out on staff who had worked at the service for many years.

Staff were trained in a range of relevant subjects, although some training records required reviewing and updating. Staff usually received regular supervision and appraisals, and the staff we spoke with were positive about the service.

Care records were clear, although some needed more detailed information about people’s needs and preferences. Individual risk assessments were in place, although some of these also needed checking for consistency. Care plans were reviewed regularly to ensure they continued to meet people’s needs. Relatives told us that they were consulted with and informed about people’s care.

Systems and processes were in place to protect people from the risk of harm. Staff had received training and told us about their responsibilities in making sure the service was safe. The principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were being followed and the provider had made safeguarding referrals to the local authority appropriately.

People's medicines were administered as prescribed and managed safely by suitably trained staff.

Policies, procedures and checks were in place to manage health and safety. This included the management of incidents and accidents.

A wide range of audits and monitoring tools were in place. This included regular checks of pressure mattress settings, call bell responses, health and safety, medicines and falls. Shortfalls and themes had been identified and action plans put in place to continually monitor and improve the quality of the service.