The Old Vicarage Care Home

Updated 1 April 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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 2 inspectors.

Service and service type

The Old Vicarage is a ‘care home’ without nursing care. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

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 (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

During the inspection, we spoke with 3 people who used the service. We also spoke with 2 people’s relatives on site and gained feedback from three relatives on the telephone. We spoke with 8 staff, including the registered manager and regional support manager. Following the inspection visit, we gained feedback from an external professional about their experience of working with service.

We looked around each area of the home to make sure It was safe, homely and suitable. We spent time observing the care and support people received. This helped us to understand the experience of people who could not or chose not to speak with us.

We reviewed 6 people’s care documentation and multiple medicines administration records, along with associated medicines documentation. We observed medicines administration and checked how medicines were stored.

We reviewed a range of records related to the management of the service, including safety certificates, staff training data and quality assurance systems.

Updated 1 April 2023

About the service

The Old Vicarage Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 35 people. At the time of the inspection there were 16 people living in the home. The home is over two floors and there is a lift and stairs to the first floor. There is a lounge, dining room and visiting pod on the ground floor.

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

Since our last inspection, a new registered manager had begun working at the service. They had driven improvements to the culture of the service and provided leadership and better organisation. The provider had invested in making improvements to the premises. Governance systems had improved, which enabled the provider to have better oversight of risk within the service. We received positive feedback from everyone we spoke with in relation to how the service had improved.

Staff managed people’s medicines well and kept the home clean and tidy. Staff managed risks well and had plans to follow in case of emergencies. The service had systems to protect people from the risk of abuse and improper treatment. Staff were recruited safely and there were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs. The premises were clean, tidy and safe.

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.

The service met people’s nutritional needs and worked with them to make sure food provision also reflected their preferences. Staff supported people with their healthcare needs and worked well with external healthcare professionals. People were cared for by staff who were well supported and had the right skills and knowledge to meet their needs effectively, following good practice guidance.

People were treated well, with kindness and compassion by staff who respected their privacy and dignity and promoted inclusion.

The service put people at the heart of the care they received. Staff used detailed assessments to identify people’s needs and preferences and worked to ensure people were happy with the care they received. The service made sure people were supported to communicate and planned activities to enhance people’s wellbeing.

The registered manager had fostered a culture that was open and inclusive, and put people at the centre of the care they received. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities and worked well with external agencies to meet people’s needs. The provider monitored the quality of the service using a range of systems.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was inadequate (published 25 August 2022) and there were breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

This service has been in Special Measures since 25 August 2022. During this inspection the provider demonstrated that improvements have been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures.

Why we inspected

This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last inspection.

Recommendations

We have made a recommendation to the provider about gaining references from candidates’ previous employers, and about recording of best interests decision making.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.