Treetops Nursing Home

Updated 4 February 2022

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.

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 team consisted of two inspectors.

Service and service type

Treetops Nursing Home 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

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke to one relative about their experience of care and consulted the Deputy Manager regarding current procedures in the service. We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records, medication records and maintenance and safety certificates. We looked at a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures in place. We completed a site walk round and reviewed the infection control procedures in place.

After the inspection

We continued to review records and polices after the inspection. We looked at training data and spoke to three members of staff to receive feedback on the management and systems in place. We reviewed meeting records, accident and incident reporting and processes to ensure quality in the service. We reviewed policies and procedures in place to ensure a good standard of care. We spoke to three relatives to gather feedback on the care and safety of the service.

Updated 4 February 2022

About the service

Treetops Nursing Home is a nursing home providing personal and nursing care for up to 24 older people with dementia or mental health needs. At the time of the inspection, 22 people lived at the service.

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

People were supported with the aid of person-centred care plans which indicated people’s preferences. Staff had time to read these care plans which helped them provide care tailored to each individuals’ preferences. Some details of the care plan needed updating however this did not affect the care to the people. We made a recommendation about this.

People had access to appropriate food and fluids throughout the day however, the dining experience could have been improved to offer people more support to eat and drink. This was highlighted to the registered manager who then reviewed their dining practices in response.

People were supported to live safely at the service with a regular staff team providing care in a positive and caring manner. Relatives provided positive feedback about the service, reporting staff knew their relatives well and offered a variety of activities to promote wellbeing and engagement. One relative described the service as “excellent” with another describing the staff as “fantastic, caring and knowledgeable”.

Staff promoted a positive and respectful ethos throughout the service and understood how to maintain a person’s dignity and offer care respectfully. An open-door policy was also encouraged within the service with both staff and relatives having confidence in the manager to deal with any concerns quickly and professionally.

Systems were in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service to help ensure people received good care. Staff felt supported in their roles and the registered manager was proactive in responding to any feedback to improve the service. The service had good links with other professionals who also reported that the service was well led and reactive to the needs of the people.

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 Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 13 June 2019).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.

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.