Background to this inspection
Updated
30 October 2020
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.
The service had been identified for use by the Local Authority as a designated care setting in response to the Winter Plan for people discharged from hospital with a positive Covid-19 status. This inspection was to ensure that the service was compliant with infection control and prevention measures.
This inspection took place on 20 October 2020 and was announced. The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.
Updated
30 October 2020
About the service: The Knolls Care Centre is a Nursing home providing personal and nursing care to 49 people at the time of the inspection, some of whom were living with dementia. The service can provide care for up to 56 people.
People’s experience of using this service:
We found significant improvements had been made to the service since our last inspection. The acting manager, with the support of staff and the provider, had worked very hard to address the issues identified at the last inspection.
People told us they felt the care and support they received at The Knolls was safe.
Risks to people were identified and monitored. Clear guidance was in place for staff on how to support people with these risks.
Staff understood their responsibilities to safeguard people from harm and how to report their concerns internally and externally to local safeguarding authorities.
Staff treated people kindly and there was a friendly atmosphere in the home. People`s personal information was kept confidential and their dignity and privacy was promoted and respected by staff.
Care plans had been fully updated and improved since the last inspection. They were detailed and personalised to give guidance to staff on how to support people effectively.
Medicines, including ‘as required’ medicines were managed safely and staff worked with other healthcare professionals to meet people’s health related needs.
People had enough to eat and drink and told us they enjoyed their meals.
People and their relatives were involved in discussions about their care.
Staff encouraged people to maintain their interests and take part in activities, and most people felt they had enough to do. Activities coordinators worked hard to identify ways to provide a range of activities that appealed to all.
There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. Staff had regular supervision and training in subjects considered mandatory by the provider to develop their skills and knowledge. Staff had additional training in relation to people’s specific support needs, such as dementia. Recruitment processes were followed to ensure suitable staff were employed to work at the service.
The provider`s governance systems and processes had improved and the acting manager had a clear plan in place to support ongoing improvements and support the new registered manager when they took up their post.
Rating at last inspection:
At the last inspection in December 2017 the service was rated ‘Requires Improvement’ with several breaches of regulations found. This inspection we found improvements had been made and there were no breaches of regulations.
Why we inspected:
This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection. The service has made significant improvements and is now rated Good with one ‘requires Improvement’ in the ‘Well-led’ domain because the requirement to have a registered manager was not met.
Follow up:
We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-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