Downing House

Updated 25 March 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 coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 3 March 2021 and was announced.

This targeted inspection was to ensure that the service was compliant with infection control and prevention measures.

Updated 25 March 2021

Downing House is a residential care home providing care and support for people aged 55 and over, some with a diagnosis of dementia. The care home accommodates up to 25 people in one purpose-built building. At the time of the inspection 17 people were receiving care and support.

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

People told us they felt safe and risks to people’s health and safety were managed well. People’s needs were met safely with appropriate staffing levels and well trained staff. People were supported by staff who understood how to identify and report potential abuse. Medicines were managed so people received their medicines as prescribed. When accidents or incidents occurred, learning was identified to reduce the risk of them happening again. Checks were carried out on new staff to ensure they were suitable to work in the home. Infection control was well managed and the home was clean and free from hazards.

People were offered choices around their meals and maintained a well-balanced diet. People were fully involved in helping to shape menus. People received access to health care services when required. Various professionals were involved when necessary to meet people’s changing needs and to make sure people remained healthy. Improvements had been made to the environment with some new décor and brighter lighting. A room previously used as a bedroom had been turned into a quiet lounge.

Staff promoted positive, caring relationships with the people who lived at the service. The staff knew people well and were kind and caring. Staff planned and provided care to meet people's needs and to take account of their preferences. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity and promoted independence, equality and diversity. There was no discrimination in the service. People and their relatives were involved in the planning and delivery of their care.

People's care plans were individualised and staff adopted a person-centred approach with the delivery of care. People had access to a range of activities and told us they enjoyed these. The registered manager was looking to appoint a new activities co-ordinator and to develop activities further. People and their relatives were confident to raise issues and concerns. Complaints procedures were effective. The service sought feedback to help maintain and improve standards of care. People's wishes regarding their end of life care were explored and documented, so these could be addressed at the appropriate time.

There was extremely positive leadership in the service. People, relatives and staff spoke highly of the registered manager. They described the registered manager as caring and approachable. Audits and monitoring procedures were used effectively to manage the service and to make improvements where needed. The registered manager made best use of networks and resources available to care homes, such as Skills for Care, and incorporated advice and guidance into staff practice.

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.

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 requires improvement (published 24 December 2018).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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