Castleford House Nursing Home

Updated 17 June 2021

The inspection

This was a targeted inspection on a specific concern which the care home had reported to us in relation to medicines.

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

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Castleford House 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. 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.

We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service and one relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with the registered manager, three nurses and head housekeeper.

We reviewed a range of records related to the management of medicines and infection, control and prevention. This included relevant policies, procedures and risk assessments.

Updated 17 June 2021

About the service: Castleford House is a residential care home which can provide personal and nursing care to 43 older people. At the time of the inspection 39 people were receiving care.

People’s experience of using this service:

The service was outstanding in how it provided highly personalised care and support to people with complex needs, sometimes under challenging circumstances. The service succeeded in doing this where other care settings had failed.

There was a truly holistic approach to assessing and planning people’s care and treatment. There was a strong emphasis on working collaboratively with the person, their representatives, other professionals and agencies to support people’s challenging needs.

Staff were particularly skilled in obtaining people’s consent and involving and supporting people in decisions about their care and treatment, even when disability and other impairments made this extremely difficult. People’s best interests were always met

Well formulated and well implemented positive behavioural support plans ensured the safe management of people’s challenging behaviours. Staff were exceptionally skilled at finding and implementing strategies which alleviated people’s distress.

The registered manager worked tirelessly to ensure the services systems, processes and values supported a highly person-centred approach to care. People were placed firmly at the centre of all decisions made in the running of the service.

The registered manager was highly motivated in wanting to improve the service further. Feedback of any kind was used for learning and reflected on to help in this. Quality monitoring arrangements had been strengthened further to help identify improvements and ensure actions which led to improvement were completed.

The registered manager afforded great time and effort to ensure people, their relatives and staff had access to them whenever they needed.

Relatives and people’s representatives were provided with support and education to understand their relatives’ complex needs. This enabled staff to work collaboratively and positively with people’s representatives, to improve people’s wellbeing and quality of life.

There was a strong emphasis on ensuring people had a voice. Advocacy support was accessed for people when this was needed.

The registered manager was highly motivated in making links local community groups which could support and enhance people’s contacts in the wider community and improve their wellbeing.

Lifestyle co-ordinators provided exceptionally meaningful activities which promoted social engagement, mental stimulation and fun.

Staff received training and on-going support to be able to meet particularly challenging needs. They were committed to the registered managers values and vision for the service and felt proud to work of their work and of the service.

Professionals told us they were confident in staffs’ abilities and their knowledge around supporting people’s health needs and complex mental health needs.

Risks to people were reduced. Staff ensured people were protected from abuse and discrimination. People’s diverse needs and beliefs were celebrated and met. There were well imbedded arrangements in place to make sure this remained the case.

Technology was used, along with least restrictive practices, to support people’s independence, without compromising their safety.

People were supported to eat well, and their nutritional risks were assessed and managed. The use of medicines was closely monitored, and people received the help they needed to take their prescribed medicines.

Staff were kind and caring towards people. Trusting relationships were formed which enabled staff to deliver people’s care safely and without distress.

Rating at last inspection: The rating at the last inspection was Good. The last inspection report was published on 20 October 2016.

Why we inspected: This was an unannounced scheduled inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk