Wombwell Hall

Updated 8 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 was carried out by two inspectors and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Wombwell Hall Care 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 received about the service since the last inspection. This included details about incidents the provider must notify us about, such as serious injuries. We sought feedback from the local authority who did not have any concerns about the service. We used this information to plan our inspection. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spoke with 13 people who lived in the service and 12 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We observed multiple interactions between people and staff throughout the day. We spoke with 15 members of staff including the registered manager, clinical lead, area director, unit managers, nurses, nursing assistants, care staff, activity staff, admin and maintenance. We reviewed a range of records including 11 peoples’ care records and multiple medication records. We looked at four staff recruitment files. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed including health and safety checks, meeting notes, training records and audits.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate the evidence found. We looked at audits, feedback from staff and relatives, meeting notes and activity plans.

Updated 8 February 2022

About the service

Wombwell Hall Care Home is a residential care home providing nursing and personal care for up to 120 people. Peoples’ needs were varied and included those living with dementia, people with physical needs and some requiring nursing in bed. The service was arranged on one level across four different units; each one can accommodate 30 people. At the time of our inspection there were 73 people living in the service and one unit was temporarily closed.

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

People told us they felt safe and were happy living in Wombwell Hall. One person said, “I’m very comfortable here because I’m confident that when I need help, they are here for me.” Another person said, “I’m very happy because the carers look after me well.” Relatives agreed that their loved ones were safe and happy. One relative said, “Oh, [relative] is so safe here. There is always someone to check [relative] is ok.” Another relative said, “[Relative] is safe here, I have no qualms.”

People received safe care and treatment from staff who knew them well. Medicines and infection control were both managed safely, and lessons were learned when things went wrong.

People were involved in decisions about their care and they received care which promoted their dignity and encouraged independence. Relatives told us they were involved in their relative’s care plans and were always kept up to date with any changes, either in the home or with their loved one’s condition. One relative said, “They did ring me and ask if I wanted anything updated in the care plan.”

People enjoyed the food and their dietary needs and preferences were met, for example vegetarian. People told us they had choices, but if they wanted something different, they only had to ask. One relative said, “[Relative] eats well and their weight is OK.” There was a range of activities offered, including group and individual activities and people could choose whether to attend.

Effective quality assurance processes were in place to monitor the service and regular audits were undertaken. Staff had received appropriate training. A new registered manager had been appointed since our last inspection and staff told us they found them approachable and supportive with an open-door policy.

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 good (published 17 June 2021).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by our data insight that assesses potential risks at services, concerns in relation to aspects of care provision and previous ratings. As a result, we undertook a comprehensive inspection to review the five key questions of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led. This enabled us to look at the concerns raised and review the previous ratings.

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.

The overall rating for the service remains good.

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

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.