Clara Court

Updated 6 March 2019

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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 31 October and 2 November 2018 and was unannounced on the first day. The inspection on the first day was carried out by two inspectors and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is someone who has personal experience of using this type of service. The inspection on the second day was completed by one inspector.

Before the inspection the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what it does well and any improvements they could make. We reviewed notifications and any other information we had received since the last inspection. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. In addition, we requested feedback from the local authority commissioning with experience of the service.

We spoke with the registered manager, the regional manager, the deputy manager, three visiting healthcare professionals, the activity coordinator and six members of the care team. In addition, we were able to speak with eight relatives and three people who lived at Clara Court.

We reviewed seven care records and observational charts and each person’s medicine record. We completed a stock check of medicines including controlled drugs and viewed records relating to the way the service was run.

We observed practice throughout the service and used a Short Observational Framework for Inspecting (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who were unable to communicate with us.

Updated 6 March 2019

This inspection was carried out on 31 October and 2 November 2018 and was unannounced on the first day.

Clara Court is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Clara Court accommodates 76 people in one adapted building. At the time of our inspection there were 71 people using the service.

The service accommodates people across three separate units, each of which have separate adapted facilities. All of the units specialise in providing care to people living with dementia.

The service is required to have a registered manager to manage the service. At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

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.

At our last inspection in 2016 we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the service had improved and evidence supported the rating of outstanding. There was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated concerns.

We received positive comments from people and their relatives about the service. One relative told us, “Do they look after her, I should say so. They care for her so lovingly and respectfully. The care they provide to her is like family care.” Other comments included, “Yes definitely, she actually says she feels safe”, “Yes, from what I have seen, yes”, “There always seems to be plenty [of staff] about. This view is shared by my other two sisters as well.”

Staff we spoke with told us they would not hesitate to report any concerns to the relevant authority. Policies in relation to safeguarding and whistle blowing reflected local procedures and relevant contact information. People’s medicines were managed so that they received them as the prescriber intended.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

A robust recruitment process was in place to ensure prospective new staff had the correct skills to support people living at Clara Court. There were sufficient staff available to provide support to people to ensure their safety was protected.

Staff developed good relationships with people and their families. Relatives told us staff were considerate and looked after their family members well.

The service supported people at the end of their life. End of life care plans included people’s wishes and thoughts to ensure their remaining days were as peaceful as possible.

The environment created a homely atmosphere and consideration was given to the requirements of people living with dementia.

Many of the staff had worked at the service for several years. The provider continually recognised their contribution in providing a good service and worked in partnership with other organisations to further develop the service.

Staff knew about people’s dietary requirements. Snacks and drinks were available throughout the day.

Activities and social events took place to avoid social isolation. Relatives and friends could visit without restrictions.