Background to this inspection
Updated
17 February 2021
The inspection
This was a targeted inspection to check whether the provider had met the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 on a specific concern we had about staff working in the service who had tested positive for COVID-19.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we could understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak. Also, to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
Whiteacres 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 and sought feedback from the local authority who work with the service. Our inspection planning focused on concerns we received in relation to people’s safety, in order to assess if the service was safe. 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 the deputy manager and liaised with the registered manager who was not at the service during the inspection. We reviewed a range of records relating to the infection prevention and control measures at the service.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found around the provider’s infection control policy and procedures.
Updated
17 February 2021
About the service
Whiteacres Residential Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care to 17 people aged 65 and over, or living with dementia or mental health problems at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 18 people in one adapted building which has substantial accessible gardens.
At our last inspection people did not always have a choice of well presented, nutritional food. At this inspection this had approved but people did still not always receive effective care. Although 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 did not always support this practice. We made a recommendation around continuing to improve these systems.
People’s needs were assessed, and they had care plans in place but these did not always highlight individual risk. We made a recommendation around improving these plans to ensure that information from other professionals was accessible to ensure people’s healthcare needs were met by staff in line with guidance.
People continued to receive safe care. There were enough staff to support them and they were recruited to ensure that they were safe to work with people. People were protected from the risk of harm and received their prescribed medicines safely. Lessons were learnt from when mistakes happened.
People received caring and kind support from staff who respected their dignity and privacy. They were encouraged to be independent and staff understood their needs well and understood how to care for them in a personalised way. Care plans were informative and regularly reviewed to support them.
The registered manager was approachable and there were opportunities in place which encouraged people and staff to give their feedback. People and relatives knew how to raise a concern or make a complaint.
The environment was adapted to meet people’s needs. Regular monitoring of the home ensured that quality of care was regularly reviewed, and improvement measures were in place.
More information is in the full report.
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 10 March 2017)
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.